Heat-not-burn (hnb) aerosol-generating devices with capsule authentication

ABSTRACT

A non-combustible aerosol-generating device includes a capsule, a memory and a controller. The capsule includes an aerosol-forming substrate and a heater configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The controller is configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to: apply power to the heater during a preheat interval, record one or more heating characteristic waveforms resulting from application of the power to the heater during at least a portion of the preheat interval, and determine whether the capsule is valid based on one or more of the heating characteristic waveforms.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generatingdevices, methods of validating capsules and/or methods of controllingHNB aerosol-generating devices.

Description of Related Art

Some electronic devices are configured to heat a plant material to atemperature that is sufficient to release constituents of the plantmaterial while keeping the temperature below a combustion point of theplant material so as to avoid any substantial pyrolysis of the plantmaterial. Such devices may be referred to as aerosol-generating devices(e.g., heat-not-burn aerosol-generating devices), and the plant materialheated may be tobacco. In some instances, the plant material may beintroduced directly into a heating chamber of an aerosol-generatingdevice. In other instances, the plant material may be pre-packaged inindividual containers to facilitate insertion and removal from anaerosol-generating device.

SUMMARY

At least one example embodiment provides a non-combustibleaerosol-generating device comprising: a capsule, a memory and acontroller. The capsule includes an aerosol-forming substrate and aheater configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The memorystores computer-readable instructions. The controller is configured toexecute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to: apply power to the heater during a preheatinterval; record, during at least a portion of the preheat interval, oneor more heating characteristic waveforms resulting from application ofthe power to the heater during the preheat interval; and determinewhether the capsule is valid based on one or more of the heatingcharacteristic waveforms.

At least one other example embodiment provides a method of controlling anon-combustible aerosol-generating device having a capsule insertedtherein, the capsule including an aerosol-forming substrate and a heaterconfigured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, the method comprising:applying power to the heater during a preheat interval for preheatingthe heater; recording, during at least a portion of the preheatinterval, one or more heating characteristic waveforms resulting fromapplication of the power to the heater during the preheat interval; anddetermining whether the capsule is valid based on one or more of theheating characteristic waveforms.

At least one other example embodiment provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructionsthat, when executed by a controller at a non-combustibleaerosol-generating device, cause the controller to perform a method ofcontrolling the non-combustible aerosol-generating device, wherein thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device has a capsule insertedtherein, the capsule including an aerosol-forming substrate and a heaterconfigured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, and wherein the methodcomprises: applying power to the heater during a preheat interval forpreheating the heater; recording, during at least a portion of thepreheat interval, one or more heating characteristic waveforms resultingfrom application of the power to the heater during the preheat interval;and determining whether the capsule is valid based on one or more of theheating characteristic waveforms.

According to one or more example embodiments, the controller may beconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to terminate application ofpower to the heater in response to determining that the capsule is notvalid.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device toenable aerosol generation in response to determining that the capsule isvalid.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include one or moreof a resistance characteristic waveform, an applied power waveform, or atemperature characteristic waveform.

The resistance characteristic waveform may indicate changes inresistance of the heater over time, the applied power waveform mayindicate a level of power applied to the heater over time, and thetemperature characteristic waveform may indicate a temperature of theheater over time.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine whether the capsule is valid based on the one or more of theheating characteristic waveforms and one or more corresponding expectedheating characteristic envelopes.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to:determine that a first heating characteristic waveform, among the one ormore of the heating characteristic waveforms, is outside the bounds of acorresponding first expected heating characteristic envelope, among theone or more corresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes; anddetermine that the capsule is not valid in response to the first heatingcharacteristic waveform being outside the bounds of the correspondingfirst expected heating characteristic envelope.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include aresistance characteristic waveform; and the controller may be configuredto execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine whether a sharpgradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveform, anddetermine whether the capsule is valid based on whether the sharpgradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveform.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine whether the sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform based on a change in resistance of the heaterduring a gradient threshold time interval.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine whether the sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform by: computing a percentage change in resistanceof the heater during the gradient threshold time interval, anddetermining whether the sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform based on a comparison between the percentagechange in resistance and a percentage change threshold value.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine that the capsule is not valid in response to determining thatthe sharp gradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveform.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine that the sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform in response to the percentage change inresistance being greater than the percentage change threshold value.

A valid capsule may be at least one of an authentic capsule, a capsulethat has not been damaged prior to insertion into the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device, or a capsule including aerosol-formingsubstrate that is not depleted.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include at least aresistance characteristic waveform for the heater; and the controllermay be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to causethe non-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine whether thecapsule is valid based on (i) whether the one or more of the heatingcharacteristic waveforms are within the bounds of corresponding one ormore expected heating characteristic envelopes, and (ii) whether a sharpgradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveform.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine that the capsule is not valid in response to (i) at least oneof the one or more heating characteristic waveforms being outside thebounds of the corresponding one or more expected heating characteristicenvelopes or (ii) the sharp gradient being present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include an appliedpower waveform, the applied power waveform indicative of a length oftime a maximum available power is applied to the heater; and thecontroller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine that a fault has occurred within the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device based on whether the length of time fallswithin a threshold range.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include aresistance characteristic waveform, an applied power waveform, and atemperature characteristic waveform; and the controller may beconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine that the powerapplied to the heater has fallen below a maximum available power basedon the applied power waveform, determine that the preheat interval hasended in response to determining that the power applied to the heaterhas fallen below the maximum available power, and determine whether thecapsule is valid in response to determining that the preheat intervalhas ended.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include an appliedpower waveform, and the applied power waveform indicative of a length oftime a maximum available power is applied to the heater. The controllermay be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to causethe non-combustible aerosol-generating device to: determine that thepower applied to the heater has fallen below a maximum available powerbased on the applied power waveform; determine whether the length oftime falls within a threshold range in response to determining that thepower applied to the heater has fallen below the maximum availablepower; determine that the preheat interval has ended in response todetermining that the length of time falls within the threshold range;and determine whether the capsule is valid in response to determiningthat the preheat interval has ended.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to:record an airflow waveform during at least the portion of the preheatinterval; correct the one or more heating characteristic waveforms basedon the recorded airflow waveform; and determine whether the capsule isvalid based on the corrected one or more heating characteristicwaveforms.

The controller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device tocorrect the one or more heating characteristic waveforms by at least oneof masking or computational correction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate various perspective views of anaerosol-generating device according to one or more example embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates the aerosol-generating device of FIGS. 1A-1Caccording to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates a capsule for the aerosol-generating device of FIGS.1A-1C according to at least one example embodiment.

FIGS. 2C-2D illustrate partially-disassembled views of theaerosol-generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least oneexample embodiment.

FIGS. 2E-2F illustrate cross-sectional views of the aerosol-generatingdevice of FIGS. 1A-1C according to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates electrical systems of an aerosol-generating deviceand a capsule according to one or more example embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a heater voltage measurement circuit according to oneor more example embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a heater current measurement circuit according to oneor more example embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrates a compensation voltage measurement circuit andalgorithm according to one or more example embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrates a circuit diagrams illustrating a heating enginecontrol circuit according to one or more example embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate methods of controlling a heater in anon-combustible aerosol-generating device according to one or moreexample embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a temperature heatingengine control algorithm according to at least one or more exampleembodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a timing diagram of the methods illustrated in FIGS.8A-8B one or more example embodiments.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a flow chart illustrating a method forcontrolling an aerosol-generating device according to exampleembodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a method for validating a capsuleaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating recorded waveforms for a valid capsuleaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the recorded waveforms shownin FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating recorded waveforms for a degraded andinvalid capsule according to example embodiments.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the waveforms shown in FIG. 15 .

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating recorded waveforms for another examplevalid capsule according to example embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating a recorded waveforms for another invalidcapsule according to example embodiments.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the waveforms shown in FIG. 18 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “attached to,” “adjacent to,”or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connectedto, coupled to, attached to, adjacent to or covering the other elementor layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directlyconnected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, thereare no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer tolike elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, orsection. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section discussedbelow could be termed a second element, region, layer, or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or groups thereof.

When the words “about” and “substantially” are used in thisspecification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended thatthe associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around thestated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

Hardware may be implemented using processing or control circuitry suchas, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more CentralProcessing Units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or morearithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors(DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), one or more System-on-Chips (SoCs), one or moreprogrammable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one ormore Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any otherdevice or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner.

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an aerosol-generating deviceaccording to an example embodiment. FIG. 1B is a rear perspective viewof the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an upstreamperspective view of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1A. Referringto FIGS. 1A-C, an aerosol-generating device 10 is configured to receiveand heat an aerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol. Theaerosol-generating device 10 includes, inter alia, a front housing 1202,a rear housing 1204, and a bottom housing 1206 coupled to a frame 1208(e.g., chassis). A door 1210 is also pivotally connected/attached to thefront housing 1202. For instance, the door 1210 is configured to move orswing about a hinge 1212 and configured to reversibly engage/disengagewith the front housing 1202 via a latch 1214 in order to transitionbetween an open position and a closed position. The aerosol-formingsubstrate, which may be contained within a capsule 100 (e.g., FIG. 2 ),may be loaded into the aerosol-generating device 10 via the door 1210.During an operation of the aerosol-generating device 10, the aerosolproduced may be drawn from the aerosol-generating device 10 via theaerosol outlet 1102 defined by the mouth-end segment 1104 of themouthpiece 1100 (e.g., FIG. 2 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the aerosol-generating device 10 includes afirst button 1218 and a second button 1220. The first button 1218 may bea pre-heat button, and the second button 1220 may be a power button (orvice versa). Additionally, one or both of the first button 1218 and thesecond button 1220 may include a light-emitting diode (LED) configuredto emit a visible light when the first button 1218 and/or the secondbutton 1220 is pressed. Where both of the first button 1218 and thesecond button 1220 includes an LED, the lights emitted may be of thesame color or of different colors. The lights may also be of the sameintensity or of different intensities. Furthermore, the lights may beconfigured as continuous lights or intermittent lights. For instance,the light in connection with the power button (e.g., second button 1220)may blink/flash to indicate that the power supply (e.g., battery) is lowand in need charging. While the aerosol-generating device 10 is shown ashaving two buttons, it should be understood that more (e.g., three) orless buttons may be provided depending on the desired interface andfunctionalities.

The aerosol-generating device 10 may have a cuboid-like shape whichincludes a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, a first sideface between the front face and the rear face, a second side faceopposite the first side face, a downstream end face, and an upstream endface opposite the downstream end face. As used herein, “upstream” (and,conversely, “downstream”) is in relation to a flow of the aerosol, and“proximal” (and, conversely, “distal”) is in relation to an adultoperator of the aerosol-generating device 10 during aerosol generation.Although the aerosol-generating device 10 is illustrated as having acuboid-like shape (e.g., rounded rectangular cuboid) with a polygonalcross-section, it should be understood that example embodiments are notlimited thereto. For instance, in some embodiments, theaerosol-generating device 10 may have a cylinder-like shape with acircular cross-section (e.g., for a circular cylinder) or an ellipticalcross-section (e.g., for an elliptic cylinder).

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the aerosol-generating device 10 includes aninlet insert 1222 configured to permit ambient air to enter the devicebody 1200 (e.g., FIG. 2 ). In an example embodiment, the inlet insert1222 defines an orifice as an air inlet which is in fluidiccommunication with the aerosol outlet 1102. As a result, when a draw(e.g., a puff) or negative pressure is applied to the aerosol outlet1102, ambient air will be pulled into the device body 1200 via theorifice in the inlet insert 1222. The size (e.g., diameter) of theorifice in the inlet insert 1222 made be adjusted, while also taking inaccount other variables (e.g., capsule 100) in the flow path, to providethe desired overall resistance-to-draw (RTD). In other embodiments, theinlet insert 1222 may be omitted altogether such that the air inlet isdefined by the bottom housing 1206.

The aerosol-generating device 10 may additionally include a jack 1224and a port 1226. In an example embodiment, the jack 1224 permits thedownloading of operational information for research and development(R&D) purposes (e.g., via an RS232 cable). The port 1226 is configuredto receive an electric current (e.g., via a USB/mini-USB cable) from anexternal power supply so as to charge an internal power supply withinthe aerosol-generating device 10. In addition, the port 1226 may also beconfigured to send data to and/or receive data (e.g., via a USB/mini-USBcable) from another aerosol-generating device or other electronic device(e.g., phone, tablet, computer). Furthermore, the aerosol-generatingdevice 10 may be configured for wireless communication with anotherelectronic device, such as a phone, via an application software (app)installed on that electronic device. In such an instance, an adultoperator may control or otherwise interface with the aerosol-generatingdevice 10 (e.g., locate the aerosol-generating device, check usageinformation, change operating parameters) through the app.

FIG. 2A is the front perspective view of the aerosol-generating deviceof FIGS. 1A-1C, wherein a mouthpiece 1100 and a capsule 100 areseparated from the device body. Referring to FIG. 2 , theaerosol-generating device 10 includes a device body 1200 configured toreceive a capsule 100 and a mouthpiece 1100. In an example embodiment,the device body 1200 defines a receptacle 1228 configured to receive thecapsule 100. The receptacle 1228 may be in a form of a cylindricalsocket with outwardly-extending, diametrically-opposed side slots toaccommodate the electrical end sections/contacts of the capsule 100.However, it should be understood that the receptacle 1228 may be inother forms based on the shape/configuration of the capsule 100.

As noted supra, the device body 1200 includes a door 1210 configured toopen to permit an insertion of the capsule 100 and the mouthpiece 1100and configured to close to retain the capsule 100 and the mouthpiece1100. The mouthpiece 1100 includes a mouth end (e.g., of the mouth-endsegment 1104) and an opposing capsule end (e.g., of the capsule-endsegment 1106). In an example embodiment, the capsule end is larger thanthe mouth end and configured to prevent a disengagement of themouthpiece 1100 from the capsule 100 when the door 1210 of the devicebody 1200 is closed. When received/secured within the device body 1200and ready for aerosol generation, the capsule 100 may be hidden fromview while the mouth-end segment 1104 defining the aerosol outlet 1102of the mouthpiece 1100 is visible. As illustrated in the figures, themouth-end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 may extend from/throughthe downstream end face of the device body 1200. Additionally, themouth-end segment 1104 of the mouthpiece 1100 may be closer to the frontface of the device body 1200 than the rear face.

In some instances, the device body 1200 of the aerosol-generating device10 may optionally include a mouthpiece sensor and/or a door sensor. Themouthpiece sensor may be disposed on a rim of the receptacle 1228 (e.g.,adjacent to the front face of the device body 1200). The door sensor maybe disposed on a portion of the front housing 1202 adjacent to the hinge1212 and within the swing path of the door 1210. In an exampleembodiment, the mouthpiece sensor and the door sensor are spring-loaded(e.g., retractable) projections configured as safety switches. Forinstance, the mouthpiece sensor may be retracted/depressed (e.g.,activated) when the mouthpiece 1100 is fully engaged with the capsule100 loaded within the receptacle 1228. Additionally, the door sensor maybe retracted/depressed (e.g., activated) when the door 1210 is fullyclosed. In such instances, the control circuitry of the device body 1200may permit an electric current to be supplied to the capsule 100 to heatthe aerosol-forming substrate therein (e.g., pre-heat permitted when thefirst button 1218 is pressed). Conversely, the control circuitry (e.g.,a controller 2105) of the device body 1200 may prevent or cease thesupply of electric current when the mouthpiece sensor and/or the doorsensor is not activated or deactivated (e.g., released). Thus, theheating of the aerosol-forming substrate will not be initiated if themouthpiece 1100 is not fully inserted and/or if the door 1210 is notfully closed. Similarly, the supply of electric current to the capsule100 will be disrupted/halted if the door 1210 is opened during theheating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The capsule 100, which will be discussed herein in more detail,generally includes a housing defining inlet openings, outlet openings,and a chamber between the inlet openings and the outlet openings. Anaerosol-forming substrate is disposed within the chamber of the housing.Additionally, a heater may extend into the housing from an exteriorthereof. The housing may include a body portion and an upstream portion.The body portion of the housing includes a proximal end and a distalend. The upstream portion of the housing may be configured to engagewith the distal end of the body portion.

FIG. 2B illustrates a capsule for the aerosol-generating device of FIGS.1A-1C according to at least one example embodiment.

An aerosol-forming substrate contained within the capsule 100 may be inthe form of a first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and a secondaerosol-forming substrate 160 b. In an example embodiment, the firstaerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate160 b are housed between a first cover 110 and a second cover 120.During the operation of the aerosol-generating device 10, the firstaerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate160 b may be heated by a heater 336 to generate an aerosol. As will bediscussed herein in more detail, the heater 336 includes a first endsection 142, an intermediate section 144, and a second end section 146.Additionally, prior to the assembly of the capsule 100, the heater 336may be mounted in the base portion 130 during a manufacturing process.

As illustrated, the first cover 110 of the capsule 100 defines a firstupstream groove 112, a first recess 114, and a first downstream groove116. The first upstream groove 112 and the first downstream groove 116may each be in the form of a series of grooves. Similarly, the secondcover 120 of the capsule 100 defines a second upstream groove, a secondrecess, and a second downstream groove 126. In an example embodiment,the second upstream groove, the second recess, and the second downstreamgroove 126 of the second cover 120 are the same as the first upstreamgroove 112, the first recess 114, and the first downstream groove 116,respectively, of the first cover 110. Specifically, in some instances,the first cover 110 and the second cover 120 are identical andcomplementary structures. In such instances, orienting the first cover110 and the second cover 120 to face each other for engagement with thebase portion 130 will result in a complementary arrangement. As aresult, one part may be used interchangeably as the first cover 110 orthe second cover 120, thus simplifying the method of manufacturing.

The first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess of thesecond cover 120 collectively form a chamber configured to accommodatethe intermediate section 144 of the heater 336 when the first cover 110and the second cover 120 are coupled with the base portion 130. Thefirst aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-formingsubstrate 160 b may also be accommodated within the chamber so as to bein thermal contact with the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336when the capsule 100 is assembled. The chamber may have a longestdimension extending from at least one of the inlet openings (e.g., ofthe upstream passageway 162) to a corresponding one of the outletopenings (e.g., of the downstream passageway 166). In an exampleembodiment, the housing of the capsule 100 has a longitudinal axis, andthe longest dimension of the chamber extends along the longitudinal axisof the housing.

The first downstream groove 116 of the first cover 110 and the seconddownstream groove 126 of the second cover 120 collectively form thedownstream passageway 166. Similarly, the first upstream groove 112 ofthe first cover 110 and the second upstream groove of the second cover120 collectively form the upstream passageway 162. The downstreampassageway 166 and the upstream passageway 162 are dimensioned to besmall or narrow enough to retain the first aerosol-forming substrate 160a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b within the chamber butyet large or wide enough to permit a passage of air and/or an aerosoltherethrough when the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and thesecond aerosol-forming substrate 160 b are heated by the heater 336.

In one instance, each of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a andthe second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b may be in a consolidated form(e.g., sheet, pallet, tablet) that is configured to maintain its shapeso as to allow the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the secondaerosol-forming substrate 160 b to be placed in a unified manner withinthe first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess of thesecond cover 120, respectively. In such an instance, the firstaerosol-forming substrate 160 a may be disposed on one side of theintermediate section 144 of the heater 336 (e.g., side facing the firstcover 110), while the second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b may bedisposed on the other side of the intermediate section 144 of the heater336 (e.g., side facing the second cover 120) so as to substantially fillthe first recess 114 of the first cover 110 and the second recess of thesecond cover 120, respectively, thereby sandwiching/embedding theintermediate section 144 of the heater 336 in between. Alternatively,one or both of the first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the secondaerosol-forming substrate 160 b may be in a loose form (e.g., particles,fibers, grounds, fragments, shreds) that does not have a set shape butrather is configured to take on the shape of the first recess 114 of thefirst cover 110 and/or the second recess of the second cover 120 whenintroduced.

As noted supra, the housing of the capsule 100 may include the firstcover 110, the second cover 120, and the base portion 130. When thecapsule 100 is assembled, the housing may have a height (or length) ofabout 30 mm-40 mm (e.g., 35 mm), although example embodiments are notlimited thereto. Additionally, each of the first recess 114 of the firstcover 110 and the second recess of the second cover 120 may have a depthof about 1 mm-4 mm (e.g., 2 mm). In such an instance, the chambercollectively formed by the first recess 114 of the first cover 110 andthe second recess of the second cover 120 may have an overall thicknessof about 2 mm-8 mm (e.g., 4 mm). Along these lines, the firstaerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate160 b, if in a consolidated form, may each have a thickness of about 1mm-4 mm (e.g., 2 mm). As a result, the first aerosol-forming substrate160 a and the second aerosol-forming substrate 160 b may be heatedrelatively quickly and uniformly by the intermediate section 144 of theheater 336.

The control circuitry may instruct a power supply to supply an electriccurrent to the heater 336. The supply of current from the power supplymay be in response to a manual operation (e.g., button-activation) or anautomatic operation (e.g., draw/puff-activation). As a result of thecurrent, the capsule 100 may be heated to generate an aerosol. Inaddition, the change in resistance of the heater may be used to monitorand control the aerosolization temperature. The aerosol generated may bedrawn from the aerosol-generating device 10 via the mouthpiece 1100. Inaddition, the control circuitry (e.g., a controller 2105) may instruct apower supply to supply an electric current to the heater 336 to maintaina temperature of the capsule 100 between draws.

As discussed herein, an aerosol-forming substrate is a material orcombination of materials that may yield an aerosol. An aerosol relatesto the matter generated or output by the devices disclosed, claimed, andequivalents thereof. The material may include a compound (e.g.,nicotine, cannabinoid), wherein an aerosol including the compound isproduced when the material is heated. The heating may be below thecombustion temperature so as to produce an aerosol without involving asubstantial pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate or thesubstantial generation of combustion byproducts (if any). Thus, in anexample embodiment, pyrolysis does not occur during the heating andresulting production of aerosol. In other instances, there may be somepyrolysis and combustion byproducts, but the extent may be consideredrelatively minor and/or merely incidental.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be a fibrous material. For instance,the fibrous material may be a botanical material. The fibrous materialis configured to release a compound when heated. The compound may be anaturally occurring constituent of the fibrous material. For instance,the fibrous material may be plant material such as tobacco, and thecompound released may be nicotine. The term “tobacco” includes anytobacco plant material including tobacco leaf, tobacco plug,reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco, shaped tobacco, or powdertobacco, and combinations thereof from one or more species of tobaccoplants, such as Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum.

In some example embodiments, the tobacco material may include materialfrom any member of the genus Nicotiana. In addition, the tobaccomaterial may include a blend of two or more different tobacco varieties.Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials that may be usedinclude, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco,Dark tobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco,specialty tobacco, blends thereof, and the like. The tobacco materialmay be provided in any suitable form, including, but not limited to,tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials, such as volume expanded orpuffed tobacco, processed tobacco stems, such as cut-rolled orcut-puffed stems, reconstituted tobacco materials, blends thereof, andthe like. In some example embodiments, the tobacco material is in theform of a substantially dry tobacco mass. Furthermore, in someinstances, the tobacco material may be mixed and/or combined with atleast one of propylene glycol, glycerin, sub-combinations thereof, orcombinations thereof.

The compound may also be a naturally occurring constituent of amedicinal plant that has a medically-accepted therapeutic effect. Forinstance, the medicinal plant may be a cannabis plant, and the compoundmay be a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the bodyto produce a wide range of effects. As a result, cannabinoids have beenused for a variety of medicinal purposes (e.g., treatment of pain,nausea, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders). The fibrous material mayinclude the leaf and/or flower material from one or more species ofcannabis plants such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabisruderalis. In some instances, the fibrous material is a mixture of60-80% (e.g., 70%) Cannabis sativa and 20-40% (e.g., 30%) Cannabisindica.

Examples of cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA),tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol(CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), andcannabigerol (CBG). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a precursor oftetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is precursorof cannabidiol (CBD). Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) andcannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)and cannabidiol (CBD), respectively, via heating. In an exampleembodiment, heat from a heater (e.g., heater 336 shown in FIG. 2B) maycause decarboxylation so as to convert the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid(THCA) in the capsule 100 to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and/or toconvert the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in the capsule 100 to cannabidiol(CBD).

In instances where both tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) andtetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present in the capsule 100, thedecarboxylation and resulting conversion will cause a decrease intetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and an increase intetrahydrocannabinol (THC). At least 50% (e.g., at least 87%) of thetetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) may be converted totetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during the heating of the capsule 100.Similarly, in instances where both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) andcannabidiol (CBD) are present in the capsule 100, the decarboxylationand resulting conversion will cause a decrease in cannabidiolic acid(CBDA) and an increase in cannabidiol (CBD). At least 50% (e.g., atleast 87%) of the cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) may be converted tocannabidiol (CBD) during the heating of the capsule 100.

Furthermore, the compound may be or may additionally include anon-naturally occurring additive that is subsequently introduced intothe fibrous material. In one instance, the fibrous material may includeat least one of cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, combinationsthereof, or the like (e.g., in a form of a gauze). In another instance,the fibrous material may be a cellulose material (e.g., non-tobaccoand/or non-cannabis material). In either instance, the compoundintroduced may include nicotine, cannabinoids, and/or flavorants. Theflavorants may be from natural sources, such as plant extracts (e.g.,tobacco extract, cannabis extract), and/or artificial sources. In yetanother instance, when the fibrous material includes tobacco and/orcannabis, the compound may be or may additionally include one or moreflavorants (e.g., menthol, mint, vanilla). Thus, the compound within theaerosol-forming substrate may include naturally occurring constituentsand/or non-naturally occurring additives. In this regard, it should beunderstood that existing levels of the naturally occurring constituentsof the aerosol-forming substrate may be increased throughsupplementation. For example, the existing levels of nicotine in aquantity of tobacco may be increased through supplementation with anextract containing nicotine. Similarly, the existing levels of one ormore cannabinoids in a quantity of cannabis may be increased throughsupplementation with an extract containing such cannabinoids.

The first cover 110 and the second cover 120 also define a first furrow118 and a second furrow 128, respectively. The first furrow 118 and thesecond furrow 128 collectively form a downstream furrow configured toaccommodate the first annular member 150 a. Similarly, the base portion130 defines an upstream furrow 138 configured to accommodate the secondannular member 150 b. As noted supra, the base portion 130 includes anengagement assembly 136 configured to facilitate a connection with thefirst cover 110 and the second cover 120. The engagement assembly 136may be an integrally formed part of the base portion 130. In an exampleembodiment, the base portion 130 defines a base outlet 134 in fluidiccommunication with the base inlet 132, and the engagement assembly 136is in the form of a projecting rim/collar on each side of the baseoutlet 134. Additionally, each of the first cover 110 and the secondcover 120 may define a slot configured to receive a correspondingprojecting rim/collar of the engagement assembly 136. As a result, thefirst cover 110 and the second cover 120 (e.g., via their distal ends)may interlock with the engagement assembly 136 of the base portion 130(while also interfacing with each other) to form the housing of thecapsule 100.

The first cover 110 and the second cover 120 may be made of aliquid-crystal polymer, PEEK (polyetheretherketone) or aluminum, forexample.

A sheet material may be cut or otherwise processed (e.g., stamping,electrochemical etching, die cutting, laser cutting) to produce theheater 336. The sheet material may be formed of one or more conductorsconfigured to undergo Joule heating (which is also known asohmic/resistive heating). Suitable conductors for the sheet materialinclude an iron-based alloy (e.g., stainless steel, iron aluminides), anickel-based alloy (e.g., nichrome), and/or a ceramic (e.g., ceramiccoated with metal). For instance, the stainless steel may be a typeknown in the art as SS316L, although example embodiments are not limitedthereto. The sheet material may have a thickness of about 0.1-0.3 mm(e.g., 0.15-0.25 mm). The heater 336 may have a resistance between0.5-2.5 Ohms (e.g., 1-2 Ohms).

The heater 336 has a first end section 142, an intermediate section 144,and a second end section 146. The first end section 142 and the secondend section 146 are configured to receive an electric current from apower supply during an activation of the heater 336. When the heater 336is activated (e.g., so as to undergo Joule heating), the temperature ofthe first aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and the second aerosol-formingsubstrate 160 b may increase, and an aerosol may be generated and drawnor otherwise released through the downstream passageway 166 of thecapsule 100. The first end section 142 and the second end section 146may each include a fork terminal to facilitate an electrical connectionwith the power supply (e.g., via a connection bolt), although exampleembodiments are not limited thereto. Additionally, because the heater336 may be produced from a sheet material, the first end section 142,the second end section 146, and the intermediate section 144 may becoplanar. Furthermore, the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336may have a planar and winding form resembling a compressed oscillationor zigzag with a plurality of parallel segments (e.g., eight to sixteenparallel segments). However, it should be understood that other formsfor the intermediate section 144 of the heater 336 are also possible(e.g., spiral form, flower-like form).

In an example embodiment, the heater 336 extends through the baseportion 130. In such an instance, the terminus of each of the first endsection 142 and the second end section 146 may be regarded as externalsegments of the heater 336 protruding from opposite sides of the baseportion 130. In particular, the intermediate section 144 of the heater336 may be on the downstream side of the base portion 130 and alignedwith the base outlet 134. During manufacturing, the heater 336 may beembedded within the base portion 130 via injection molding (e.g., insertmolding, over molding). For instance, the heater 336 may be embeddedsuch that the intermediate section 144 is evenly spaced between the pairof projecting rims/collars of the engagement assembly 136.

Although the first end section 142 and the second end section 146 of theheater 336 are shown in the drawings as projections (e.g., fins)extending from the sides of the base portion 130, it should beunderstood that, in some example embodiments, the first end section 142and the second end section 146 of the heater 336 may be configured so asto constitute parts of the side surface of the capsule 100. Forinstance, the exposed portions of the first end section 142 and thesecond end section 146 of the heater 336 may be dimensioned and orientedso as to be situated/folded against the sides of the base portion 130(e.g., while also following the underlying contour of the base portion130). As a result, the first end section 142 and the second end section146 may constitute a first electrical contact and a second electricalcontact, respectively, as well as parts of the side surface of thecapsule 100.

FIG. 2C is a partially-disassembled view of the aerosol-generatingdevice of FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 2D is a partially-disassembled view of theaerosol-generating device of FIG. 2 . Referring to FIGS. 2C-2D, theframe 1208 (e.g., metal chassis) serves as a foundation for the internalcomponents of the aerosol-generating device 10, which may be attachedeither directly or indirectly thereto. With regard tostructures/components shown in the figures and already discussed above,it should be understood that such relevant teachings are also applicableto this section and may not have been repeated in the interest ofbrevity. In an example embodiment, the bottom housing 1206 is secured tothe upstream end of the frame 1208. Additionally, the receptacle 1228(for receiving the capsule 100) may be mounted onto the front side ofthe frame 1208. Between the receptacle 1228 and the bottom housing 1206is an inlet channel 1230 configured to direct an incoming flow ofambient air to the capsule 100 in the receptacle 1228. The inlet insert1222 (e.g., FIG. 1C), through which the incoming air may flow, may bedisposed in the distal end of the inlet channel 1230. Furthermore, thereceptacle 1228 and/or the inlet channel 1230 may include a flow sensor(e.g., integrated flow sensor).

A covering 1232 and a power supply 1234 therein (e.g., FIG. 2E) may bemounted onto the rear side of the frame 1208. To establish an electricalconnection with the capsule 100 (e.g., which is in the receptacle 1228and covered by the capsule-end segment 1106 of the mouthpiece 1100), afirst power terminal block 1236 a and a second power terminal block 1236b may be provided to facilitate the supply of an electric current. Forinstance, the first power terminal block 1236 a and the second powerterminal block 1236 b may establish the requisite electrical connectionbetween the power supply 1234 and the capsule 100 via the first endsection 142 and the second end section 146 of the heater 336. The firstpower terminal block 1236 a and/or the second power terminal block 1236b may be formed of brass.

The aerosol-generating device 10 may also include a plurality of printedcircuit boards (PCBs) configured to facilitate its operation. In anexample embodiment, a first printed circuit board 1238 (e.g., bridge PCBfor power and I2C) is mounted onto the downstream end of the covering1232 for the power supply 1234. Additionally, a second printed circuitboard 1240 (e.g., HMI PCB) is mounted onto the rear of the covering1232. In another instance, a third printed circuit board 1242 (e.g.,serial port PCB) is secured to the front of the frame 1208 and situatedbehind the inlet channel 1230. Furthermore, a fourth printed circuitboard 1244 (e.g., USB-C PCB) is disposed between the rear of the frame1208 and the covering 1232 for the power supply 1234. However, it shouldbe understood that the example embodiments herein regarding the printedcircuit boards should not be interpreted as limiting since the size,shapes, and locations thereof may vary depending on the desired featuresof the aerosol-generating device 10.

FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device ofFIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 2F is another cross-sectional view of theaerosol-generating device of FIGS. 1A-1C. With regard tostructures/components shown in the figures and already discussed above,it should be understood that such relevant teachings are also applicableto this section and may not have been repeated in the interest ofbrevity. Referring to FIGS. 2E-2F, the mouth-end segment 1104 of themouthpiece 1100 is illustrated as defining an aerosol outlet 1102 in theform of a single outlet. However, it should be understood that exampleembodiments are not limited thereto. For instance, the aerosol outlet102 may alternatively be in the form of a plurality of smaller outlets(e.g., two to six outlets). In one instance, the plurality of outletsmay be in the form of four outlets. The outlets may be radially-arrangedand/or outwardly-angled so as to release diverging streams of aerosol.

In an example embodiment, at least one of a filter or a flavor mediummay be optionally disposed within the mouth-end segment 1104 of themouthpiece 1100. In such an instance, a filter and/or a flavor mediumwill be downstream from the chamber 164 such that the aerosol generatedtherein passes through at least one of the filter or the flavor mediumbefore exiting through the at least one aerosol outlet 1102. The filtermay reduce or prevent particles from the aerosol-forming substrate(e.g., aerosol-forming substrate 160 a and/or aerosol-forming substrate160 b) from being inadvertently drawn from the capsule 100. The filtermay also help reduce the temperature of the aerosol in order to providethe desired mouth feel. The flavor medium (e.g., flavor beads) mayrelease a flavorant when the aerosol passes therethrough so as to impartthe aerosol with a desired flavor. The flavorant may be the same asdescribed above in connection with the aerosol-forming substrate.Furthermore, the filter and/or the flavor medium may have a consolidatedform or a loose form as described supra in connection with theaerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating device 10 may also include a third annular member150 c seated within the receptacle 1228. The third annular member 150 c(e.g., resilient O-ring) is configured to establish an air seal when thebase portion 130 of the capsule 100 is fully inserted into thereceptacle 1228. As a result, most if not all of the air drawn into thereceptacle 1228 will pass through the capsule 100, and any bypass flowaround the capsule 100 will be minuscule if any. In an exampleembodiment, the first annular member 150 a, the second annular member150 b, and/or the third annular member 150 c may be formed of clearsilicone.

In addition to the printed circuit boards already discussed above, theaerosol-generating device 10 may also include a fifth printed circuitboard 1246 (e.g., main PCB) disposed between the frame 1208 and thepower supply 1234. The power supply 1234 may be a 900 mAh battery,although example embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore, asensor 1248 may be disposed upstream from the capsule 100 to enhance anoperation of the aerosol-generating device 10. For instance, the sensor1248 may be an air flow sensor. In view of the sensor 1248 as well asthe first button 1218 and the second button 1220, the operation of theaerosol-generating device 10 may be an automatic operation (e.g.,puff-activated) or a manual operation (e.g., button-activated). In atleast one example embodiment, the sensor may be a microelectromechanicalsystem (MEMS) flow or pressure sensor or another type of sensorconfigured to measure air flow such as a hot-wire anemometer.

Upon activating the aerosol-generating device 10, the capsule 100 withinthe device body 1200 may be heated to generate an aerosol. In an exampleembodiment, the activation of the aerosol-generating device 10 may betriggered by the detection of an air flow by the sensor 1248 and/or thegeneration of a signal associated with the pressing of the first button1218 and/or the second button 1220. With regard to the detection of anair flow, a draw or application of negative pressure on the aerosoloutlet 1102 of the mouthpiece 1100 will pull ambient air into the devicebody 1200 via the inlet channel 1230, wherein the air may initially passthrough an inlet insert 1222 (e.g., FIG. 1C). Once inside the devicebody 1200, the air travels through the inlet channel 1230 to thereceptacle 1228 where it is detected by the sensor 1248. After thesensor 1248, the air continues through the receptacle 1228 and entersthe capsule 100 via the base portion 130. Specifically, the air willflow through the base inlet 132 of the capsule 100 before passingthrough the upstream passageway 162 and into the chamber 164. Moreover,the control circuitry (e.g., a controller 2105) may instruct a powersupply to supply an electric current to the heater 336 to maintain atemperature of the capsule 100 between draws.

The detection of the air flow by the sensor 1248 may cause the controlcircuitry to the power supply 1234 to supply an electric current to thecapsule 100 via the first end section 142 and the second end section 146of the heater 336. As a result, the temperature of the intermediatesection 144 of the heater 336 will increase which, in turn, will causethe temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., aerosol-formingsubstrate 160 a and/or aerosol-forming substrate 160 b) inside thechamber 164 to increase such that volatiles are released by theaerosol-forming substrate to produce an aerosol. The aerosol producedwill be entrained by the air flowing through the chamber 164. Inparticular, the aerosol produced in the chamber 164 will pass throughthe downstream passageway 166 of the capsule 100 before exiting theaerosol-generating device 10 from the aerosol outlet 1102 of themouthpiece 1100.

FIG. 3 illustrates electrical systems of an aerosol-generating deviceand a capsule according to one or more example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the electrical systems include anaerosol-generating device electrical system 2100 and a capsuleelectrical system 2200. The aerosol-generating device electrical system2100 may be included in the aerosol-generating device 10, and thecapsule electrical system 2200 may be included in the capsule 100.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the capsule electricalsystem 2200 includes the heater 336.

The capsule electrical system 2200 may further include a bodyelectrical/data interface (not shown) for transferring power and/or databetween the aerosol-generating device 10 and the capsule 100. Accordingto at least one example embodiment, the electrical contacts shown inFIG. 2B, for example, may serve as the body electrical interface, butexample embodiments are not limited thereto.

The aerosol-generating device electrical system 2100 includes acontroller 2105, a power supply 1234, device sensors or measurementcircuits 2125, a heating engine control circuit 2127, aerosol indicators2135, on-product controls 2150 (e.g., buttons 1218 and 1220 shown inFIG. 1B), a memory 2130, and a clock circuit 2128. In some exampleembodiments, the controller 2105, the power supply 1234, device sensorsor measurement circuits 2125, the heating engine control circuit 2127,the memory 2130, and the clock circuit 2128 are on the same PCB (e.g.,the main PCB 1246). The aerosol-generating device electrical system 2100may further include a capsule electrical/data interface (not shown) fortransferring power and/or data between the aerosol-generating device 10and the capsule 100.

The power supply 1234 may be an internal power supply to supply power tothe aerosol-generating device 10 and the capsule 100. The supply ofpower from the power supply 1234 may be controlled by the controller2105 through power control circuitry (not shown). The power controlcircuitry may include one or more switches or transistors to regulatepower output from the power supply 1234. The power supply 1234 may be aLithium-ion battery or a variant thereof (e.g., a Lithium-ion polymerbattery).

The controller 2105 may be configured to control overall operation ofthe aerosol-generating device 10. According to at least some exampleembodiments, the controller 2105 may include processing circuitry suchas hardware including logic circuits; a hardware/software combinationsuch as a processor executing software; or a combination thereof. Forexample, the processing circuitry more specifically may include, but isnot limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logicunit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmablelogic unit, a microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC), etc.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the controller 2105 isillustrated as a microcontroller including: input/output (I/O)interfaces, such as general purpose input/outputs (GPIOs),inter-integrated circuit (I²C) interfaces, serial peripheral interfacebus (SPI) interfaces, or the like; a multichannel analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC); and a clock input terminal. However, exampleembodiments should not be limited to this example. In at least oneexample implementation, the controller 2105 may be a microprocessor.

The memory 2130 is illustrated as being external to the controller 2105,in some example embodiments the memory 2130 may be on board thecontroller 2105.

The controller 2105 is communicatively coupled to the device sensors2125, the heating engine control circuit 2127, aerosol indicators 2135,the memory 2130, the on-product controls 2150, the clock circuit 2128and the power supply 1234.

The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller2105 via a GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pin. The memory 2130 isconnected to the controller 2105 via a SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)pin. The clock circuit 2128 is connected to a clock input pin of thecontroller 2105. The aerosol indicators 2135 are connected to thecontroller 2105 via an I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface pin anda SPI/GPIO pin. The device sensors 2125 are connected to the controller2105 through respective pins of the multi-channel ADC.

The clock circuit 2128 may be a timing mechanism, such as an oscillatorcircuit, to enable the controller 2105 to track idle time, preheatlength, aerosol-generating (draw) length, a combination of idle time andaerosol-generating (draw) length, a power-use time to determine a hotcapsule alert (e.g., 30 s after instance has ended) or the like, of theaerosol-generating device 10. The clock circuit 2128 may also include adedicated external clock crystal configured to generate the system clockfor the aerosol-generating device 10.

The memory 2130 may be a non-volatile memory storing operationalparameters and computer readable instructions for the controller 2105 toperform the algorithms described herein. In one example, the memory 2130may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),such as a flash memory or the like.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , the device sensors 2125 may include aplurality of sensor or measurement circuits configured to providesignals indicative of sensor or measurement information to thecontroller 2105. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the device sensors2125 include a heater current measurement circuit 21258, a heatervoltage measurement circuit 21252, and a compensation voltagemeasurement circuit 21250. The electrical systems of FIG. 3 may furtherincludes the sensors discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-2F.

The heater current measurement circuit 21258 may be configured to output(e.g., voltage) signals indicative of the current through the heater336. An example embodiment of the heater current measurement circuit21258 will be discussed in more detail later with regard to FIG. 5 .

The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 may be configured to output(e.g., voltage) signals indicative of the voltage across the heater 336.An example embodiment of the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252will be discussed in more detail later with regard to FIG. 4 .

The compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 may be configured tooutput (e.g., voltage) signals indicative of the resistance ofelectrical power interface (e.g., electrical connector) between thecapsule 100 and the aerosol-generating device 10. In some exampleembodiments, the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 mayprovide compensation voltage measurement signals to the controller 2105.Example embodiments of the compensation voltage measurement circuit21250 will be discussed in more detail later with regard to FIGS. 6A-6B.

As discussed above, the compensation voltage measurement circuit 21250,the heater current measurement circuit 21258 and the heater voltagemeasurement circuit 21252 are connected to the controller 2105 via pinsof the multi-channel ADC. To measure characteristics and/or parametersof the aerosol-generating device 10 and the capsule 100 (e.g., voltage,current, resistance, temperature, or the like, of the heater 336), themulti-channel ADC at the controller 2105 may sample the output signalsfrom the device sensors 2125 at a sampling rate appropriate for thegiven characteristic and/or parameter being measured by the respectivedevice sensor.

The aerosol-generating device electrical system 2100 may include thesensor 1248 to measure airflow through the aerosol-generating device 10.In at least one example embodiment, the sensor may be amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow or pressure sensor or anothertype of sensor configured to measure air flow such as a hot-wireanemometer. In an example embodiment, the output of the sensor tomeasure airflow to the controller 2105 is instantaneous measurement offlow (in ml/s or cm³/s) via a digital interface or SPI. In other exampleembodiments, the sensor may be a hot-wire anemometer, a digital MEMSsensor or other known sensors. The flow sensor may be operated as a puffsensor by detecting a draw when the flow value is greater than or equalto 1 mL/s, and terminating a draw when the flow value subsequently dropsto 0 mL/s. In another example, the flow sensor may be operated as a puffsensor by detecting a draw when the flow value is greater than or equalto 1 mL/s and terminating a draw when the flow value subsequently dropsbelow 1 mL/s. In an example embodiment, the sensor 1248 may be a MEMSflow sensor based differential pressure sensor with the differentialpressure (in Pascals) converted to an instantaneous flow reading (inmL/s) using a curve fitting calibration function or a Look Up Table (offlow values for each differential pressure reading). In another exampleembodiment, the flow sensor may be a capacitive pressure drop sensor.

The heating engine control circuit 2127 is connected to the controller2105 via a GPIO pin. The heating engine control circuit 2127 isconfigured to control (enable and/or disable) the heater 336 of theaerosol-generating device 10 by controlling power to the heater 336.

The controller 2105 may control the aerosol indicators 2135 to indicatestatuses and/or operations of the aerosol-generating device 10 to anadult operator. The aerosol indicators 2135 may be at least partiallyimplemented via a light guide and may include a power indicator (e.g.,LED) that may be activated when the controller 2105 senses a buttonpressed by the adult operator. The aerosol indicators 2135 may alsoinclude a vibrator, speaker, or other feedback mechanisms, and mayindicate a current state of an adult operator-controlled aerosolgenerating parameter (e.g., aerosol volume).

Still referring to FIG. 3 , the controller 2105 may control power to theheater 336 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in accordance with aheating profile (e.g., heating based on volume, temperature, flavor, orthe like). The heating profile may be determined based on empirical dataand may be stored in the memory 2130 of the aerosol-generating device10.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of the heater voltagemeasurement circuit 21252.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252includes a resistor 3702 and a resistor 3704 connected in a voltagedivider configuration between a terminal configured to receive an inputvoltage signal COIL_OUT and ground. The resistances of the resistor 3702and the resistor 3704 may be 8.2 kiloohms and 3.3 kiloohms,respectively. The input voltage signal COIL_OUT is the voltage input to(voltage at an input terminal of) the heater 336. A node N3716 betweenthe resistor 3702 and the resistor 3704 is coupled to a positive inputof an operational amplifier (Op-Amp) 3708. A capacitor 3706 is connectedbetween the node N3716 and ground to form a low-pass filter circuit (anR/C filter) to stabilize the voltage input to the positive input of theOp-Amp 3708. The capacitance of the capacitor 3706 may be 18 nanofarads,for example. The filter circuit may also reduce inaccuracy due toswitching noise induced by PWM signals used to energize the heater 336,and have the same phase response/group delay for both current andvoltage.

The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 further includes resistors3710 and 3712 and a capacitor 3714. The resistor 3712 is connectedbetween node N3718 and a terminal configured to receive an outputvoltage signal COIL_RTN and may have a resistance of 8.2 kiloohms, forexample. The output voltage signal COIL_RTN is the voltage output from(voltage at an output terminal of) the heater 336.

Resistor 3710 and capacitor 3714 are connected in parallel between anode N3718 and an output of the Op-Amp 3708. The resistor 3710 may havea resistance of 3.3 kiloohms and the capacitor 3714 may have acapacitance of 18 nanofarads, for example. A negative input of theOp-Amp 3708 is also connected to node N3718. The resistors 3710 and 3712and the capacitor 3714 are connected in a low-pass filter circuitconfiguration.

The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252 utilizes the Op-Amp 3708 tomeasure the voltage differential between the input voltage signalCOIL_OUT and the output voltage signal COIL_RTN, and output a scaledheater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL that represents the voltageacross the heater 336. The heater voltage measurement circuit 21252outputs the scaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL to an ADCpin of the controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement by thecontroller 2105.

The gain of the Op-Amp 3708 may be set based on the surrounding passiveelectrical elements (e.g., resistors and capacitors) to improve thedynamic range of the voltage measurement. In one example, the dynamicrange of the Op-Amp 3708 may be achieved by scaling the voltage so thatthe maximum voltage output matches the maximum input range of the ADC(e.g., about 2.5V). In at least one example embodiment, the scaling maybe about 402 mV per V, and thus, the heater voltage measurement circuit21252 may measure up to about 2.5V/0.402V=6.22V.

The voltage signals COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN are clamped by diodes 3720 and3722, respectively, to reduce risk of damage due to electrostaticdischarge (ESD) events.

In some example embodiments, four wire/Kelvin measurement may be usedand the voltage signals COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN may be measured atmeasurement contact points (also referred to as voltage sensingconnections (as opposed to main power contacts)) to take into accountthe contact and bulk resistances of an electrical power interface (e.g.,electrical connector) between the heater 336 and the aerosol-generatingdevice 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of the heater currentmeasurement circuit 21258 shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , an output current signal COIL_RTN_I is input to afour terminal (4T) measurement resistor 3802 connected to ground. Thedifferential voltage across the four terminal measurement resistor 3802is scaled by an Op-Amp 3806, which outputs a heater current measurementsignal COIL_CUR indicative of the current through the heater 336. Theheater current measurement signal COIL_CUR is output to an ADC pin ofthe controller 2105 for digital sampling and measurement of the currentthrough the heater 336 at the controller 2105.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the four terminalmeasurement resistor 3802 may be used to reduce error in the currentmeasurement using a four wire/Kelvin current measurement technique. Inthis example, separation of the current measurement path from thevoltage measurement path may reduce noise on the voltage measurementpath.

The gain of the Op-Amp 3806 may be set to improve the dynamic range ofthe measurement. In this example, the scaling of the Op-Amp 3806 may beabout 0.820 V/A, and thus, the heater current measurement circuit 21258may measure up to about 2.5 V/(0.820 V/A)=3.5 A.

Referring to FIG. 5 in more detail, a first terminal of the fourterminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected to a terminal of theheater 336 to receive the output current signal COIL_RTN_I. A secondterminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802 is connected toground. A third terminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802is connected to a low-pass filter circuit (R/C filter) includingresistor 3804, capacitor 3808 and resistor 3810. The resistance of theresistor 3804 may be 100 ohms, the resistance of the resistor 3810 maybe 8.2 kiloohms and the capacitance of the capacitor 3808 may be 3.3.nanofarads, for example.

The output of the low-pass filter circuit is connected to a positiveinput of the Op-Amp 3806. The low-pass filter circuit may reduceinaccuracy due to switching noise induced by the PWM signals applied toenergize the heater 336, and may also have the same phase response/groupdelay for both current and voltage.

The heater current measurement circuit 21258 further includes resistors3812 and 3814 and a capacitor 3816. The resistors 3812 and 3814 and thecapacitor 3816 are connected to the fourth terminal of the four terminalmeasurement resistor 3802, a negative input of the Op-Amp 3806 and anoutput of the Op-Amp 3806 in a low-pass filter circuit configuration,wherein the output of the low-pass filter circuit is connected to thenegative input of the Op-Amp 3806. The resistors 3812 and 3814 may haveresistances of 100 ohms and 8.2 kiloohms, respectively, and thecapacitor 3816 may have a capacitance of 3.3. nanofarads, for example.

The Op-Amp 3806 outputs a differential voltage as the heater currentmeasurement signal COIL_CUR to an ADC pin of the controller 2105 forsampling and measurement of the current through the heater 336 by thecontroller 2105.

According to at least this example embodiment, the configuration of theheater current measurement circuit 21258 is similar to the configurationof the heater voltage measurement circuit 21252, except that thelow-pass filter circuit including resistors 3804 and 3810 and thecapacitor 3808 is connected to a terminal of the four terminalmeasurement resistor 3802 and the low-pass filter circuit including theresistors 3812 and 3814 and the capacitor 3816 is connected to anotherterminal of the four terminal measurement resistor 3802.

The controller 2105 may average multiple samples (e.g., of voltage) overa time window (e.g., about 1 ms) corresponding to the ‘tick’ time(iteration time of a control loop) used in the aerosol-generating device10, and convert the average to a mathematical representation of thevoltage across and current through the heater 336 through application ofa scaling value. The scaling value may be determined based on the gainsettings implemented at the respective Op-Amps, which may be specific tothe hardware of the aerosol-generating device 10.

The controller 2105 may filter the converted voltage and currentmeasurements using, for example, a three tap moving average filter toattenuate measurement noise. The controller 2105 may then use thefiltered measurements to calculate: resistance R_(HEATER) of the heater336 (R_(HEATER)=COIL_VOL/COIL_CUR), power P_(HEATER) applied to theheater 336 (P_(HEATER)=COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR) or the like.

According to one or more example embodiments, the gain settings of thepassive elements of the circuits shown in FIGS. 4 and/or 5 may beadjusted to match the output signal range to the input range of thecontroller 2105.

FIG. 6A illustrates electrical systems of an aerosol-generating deviceincluding a separate compensation voltage measurement circuit accordingto one or more example embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a contact interface between the heater 336 and theaerosol-generating device electrical system 2100 includes a fourwire/Kelvin arrangement having an input power contact 6100, an inputmeasurement contact 6200, an output measurement contact 6300 and anoutput power contact 6400.

A voltage measurement circuit 21252A receives a measurement voltageCOIL_OUT_MEAS at the input measurement contact 6200 and an outputmeasurement voltage COIL_RTN_MEAS at the output measurement contact6300. The voltage measurement circuit 21252A is the same circuit as thevoltage measurement circuit 21252 illustrated in FIG. 4 and outputs thescaled heater voltage measurement signal COIL_VOL. While in FIG. 4COIL_OUT and COIL_RTN are illustrated, it should be understood that inexample embodiments without a separate compensation voltage measurementcircuit, the voltage measurement circuit 21252 may receive voltages atthe input and output measurement contacts 6200, 6300 instead of theinput and output power contacts 6100, 6400.

The systems shown in FIG. 6A further include the compensation voltagemeasurement circuit 21250. The compensation voltage measurement circuit21250 is the same as the voltage measurement circuit 21252A except thecompensation voltage measurement circuit 21250 receives the voltageCOIL_OUT at the input power contact 6100 and receives the voltageCOIL_RTN at the output power contact 6400 and outputs a compensationvoltage measurement signal VCOMP.

The current measurement circuit 21258 receives the output current signalCOIL_RTN_I at the output power contact 6400 and outputs the heatercurrent measurement signal COIL_CUR.

FIG. 6B illustrates a method of the using a compensation voltagemeasurement signal to adjust a target power for a heater according toexample embodiments.

The controller 2105 may perform the method shown in FIG. 6B.

At S6500, the controller starts a power delivery loop for the heater. At6505, the controller pulls the operating parameters (e.g., heatingengine control circuit threshold voltage, power loss threshold andwetting timer limit) from the memory.

At 6510, the controller determines whether power lost at the contactsPCONTACT exceeds a loss threshold. The controller may determine thepower lost at the contacts PCONTACT as follows:

PCONTACT=abs((VCOMP*COIL_CUR)−(COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR))

The loss threshold may be an absolute value (e.g., 3 W) or a percentageof the power applied to the heater (e.g., 25%).

If the controller determines the power lost PCONTACT is equal to or lessthan the loss threshold, the controller clears a wetting flag at S6515.The controller monitors the compensation voltage measurement signalVCOMP at S6520 and determines whether the compensation voltagemeasurement signal VCOMP exceeds a threshold voltage VMAX at S6525. Thethreshold voltage VMAX may be the rated voltage of the heating enginecontrol circuit 2127.

If the controller determines the compensation voltage measurement signalVCOMP does not exceed the threshold voltage VMAX, the controllerproceeds to the next iteration (i.e., next tick time) at S6530. If thecontroller determines the compensation voltage measurement signal VCOMPexceeds the threshold voltage VMAX, the controller reduces the heaterpower target for the next iteration at S6532 and proceeds to the nextiteration at 6530.

Thus, if the power loss PCONTACT is less than the loss threshold, thecontroller may reduce the applied power to reduce a contact heatingeffect.

Returning back to S6510, if the controller determines the power lostPCONTACT is greater than the loss threshold, the controller determinesif a wetting flag is set at 6535. If the controller determines thewetting flag is set at S6535, the controller terminates heating (e.g.,does not supply power to the heater) at S6550.

If the controller determines the wetting flag is not set at S6535, thecontroller determines whether a wetting timer is running at S6540. Thewetting time is used to permit an increased power loss for adesired/selected time period (e.g., 200 ms).

If the controller determines the wetting timer is not running, thecontroller starts the wetting timer at S6545 and then proceeds tomonitor the compensation voltage measurement signal VCOMP at 6520.

If the controller determines the wetting timer is running at S6540, thecontroller determines whether the wetting timer has expired at S6555. Ifthe controller determines the wetting timer is not expired, thecontroller proceeds to monitor the compensation voltage measurementsignal VCOMP at S6520. Thus, the power loss in the contacts PCONTACTbeing above the power loss threshold is permitted if the wetting timeris still running.

If the controller determines the wetting timer is expired, thecontroller sets the wetting flag at 6560. The controller then reduces aheater power target at S6565 such that the power loss in the contactsPCONTACT falls below the loss threshold and the controller proceeds tomonitor the compensation voltage measurement signal VCOMP at 6520. Morespecifically, the controller sets an upper power limit that can be usedby the PID controller (i.e., instead of the PID loop being able to use afull power range it is restricted to a lower range such as 6 W insteadof 12 W). The controller continues to use the same temperature errorinput, but responds more slowly since an upper power limit is lowered.

In other example embodiments, a controller may change the temperaturetarget.

Contact resistances change with temperature (and may alternatively godown due to “wetting current” removing an oxidation layer of thecontact) and, as a result, a proportion of power lost in the powercontacts may change during use. By compensating for power loss at thecontacts, the electrical systems improve the delivery of power to theheater (e.g., a latency to achieve a heater temperature can be reducedby increasing power once a wetting effect has taken place).

On each subsequent iteration of the power delivery loop shown in FIG.6B, the controller 2105 may re-enter a ‘wetting’ process (e.g., torespond to a change in contact forces), however, the wetting flag isused to ensure that the controller does not continually restart theprocess.

FIGS. 7A-7C is a circuit diagram illustrating a heating engine controlcircuit according to example embodiments. The heating engine controlcircuit shown in FIGS. 7A-7C is an example of the heating engine controlcircuit 2127 shown in FIG. 3 .

The heating engine control circuit includes a boost converter circuit7020 (FIG. 7A), a first stage 7040 (FIG. 7B) and a second stage 7060(FIG. 7C).

The boost converter circuit 7020 is configured to create a voltagesignal VGATE (e.g., 9V supply) (also referred to as a power signal orinput voltage signal) from a voltage source BATT to power the firststage 7040 based on a first power enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE (alsoreferred to as a shutdown signal). The controller may generate the firstpower enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE to have a logic high level when theaerosol-generating device is ready to be used. In other words, the firstpower enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE has a logic high level when at leastthe controller detects that a capsule is properly connected to theaerosol-generating device. In other example embodiments, the first powerenable signal PWR_EN_VGATE has a logic high level when the controllerdetects that a capsule is properly connected to the aerosol-generatingdevice and the controller detects an action such as a button beingpressed.

The first stage 7040 utilizes the input voltage signal VGATE from theboost converter circuit 7020 to drive the heating engine control circuit2127. The first stage 7040 and the second stage 7060 form a buck-boostconverter circuit.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the boost converter circuit7020 generates the input voltage signal VGATE only if the first enablesignal PWR_EN_VGATE is asserted (present). The controller 2105 may VGATEto cut power to the first stage 7040 by de-asserting (stopping orterminating) the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE. The first enablesignal PWR_EN_VGATE may serve as a device state power signal forperforming an aerosol-generating-off operation at the device 1000. Inthis example, the controller 2105 may perform an aerosol-generating-offoperation by de-asserting the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE, therebydisabling power to the first stage 7040, the second stage 7060 and theheater 336. The controller 2105 may then enable aerosol-generating atthe device 1000 by again asserting the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATEto the boost converter circuit 7020.

The controller 2105 may generate the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE ata logic level such that boost converter circuit 7020 outputs the inputvoltage signal VGATE having a high level (at or approximately 9V) toenable power to the first stage 7040 and the heater 336 in response toaerosol-generating conditions at the device 1000. The controller 2105may generate the first enable signal PWR_EN_VGATE at another logic levelsuch that boost converter circuit 7020 outputs the input voltage signalVGATE having a low level (at or approximately 0V) to disable power tothe first stage 7040 and the heater 336, thereby performing a heater-offoperation.

Referring in more detail to the boost converter circuit 7020 in FIG. 7A,a capacitor C36 is connected between the voltage source BATT and ground.The capacitor C36 may have a capacitance of 10 microfarads.

A first terminal of inductor L1006 is connected to node Node1 betweenthe voltage source BATT and the capacitor C36. The inductor L1006 servesas the main storage element of the boost converter circuit 7020. Theinductor L1006 may have an inductance of 10 microhenrys.

Node 1 is connected to a voltage input pin A1 a boost converter chipU11. In some example embodiments, the boost converter chip may be aTPS61046.

A second terminal of the inductor L1006 is connected to a switch pin SWof the boost converter chip U11. An enable pin EN of the boosterconverter chip U11 is configured to receive the first enable signalPWR_EN_VGATE from the controller 2105.

In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the boost converter chip U11 serves asthe main switching element of the boost converter circuit 7020.

A resistor R53 is connected between the enable pin EN of the boosterconverter chip Ul1 and ground to act as a pull-down resistor to ensurethat operation of the heater 336 is prevented when the first enablesignal PWR_EN_GATE is in an indeterminate state. The resistor R53 mayhave a resistance of 100 kiloohms in some example embodiments.

A voltage output pin VOUT of the boost converter chip U11 is connectedto a first terminal of a resistor R49 and first terminal of a capacitorC58. A second terminal of the capacitor C58 is connected to ground. Avoltage output by the voltage output pin VOUT is the input voltagesignal VGATE.

A second terminal of the resistor R49 and a first terminal of a resistorR51 are connected at a second node Node2. The second node Node2 isconnected to a feedback pin FB of the booster converter chip U11. Thebooster converter chip U11 is configured to produce the input voltagesignal VGATE at about 9V using the ratio of the resistance of theresistor R49 to the resistance of the resistor R51. In some exampleembodiments, the resistor R49 may have a resistance of 680 kiloohms andthe resistor R51 may have a resistance of 66.5 kiloohms.

The capacitors C36 and C58 operate as smoothing capacitors and may havecapacitances of 10 microfarads and 4.7 microfarads, respectively. Theinductor L1006 may have an inductance selected based on a desired outputvoltage (e.g., 9V).

Referring now to FIG. 7B, the first stage 7040 receives the inputvoltage signal VGATE and a second enable signal COIL_Z. The secondenable signal is a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal and is an inputto the first stage 7040.

The first stage 7040 includes, among other things, an integrated gatedriver U6 configured to convert low-current signal(s) from thecontroller 2105 to high-current signals for controlling switching oftransistors of the first stage 7040. The integrated gate driver U6 isalso configured to translate voltage levels from the controller 2105 tovoltage levels required by the transistors of the first stage 7040. Inthe example embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the integrated gate driver U6is a half-bridge driver. However, example embodiments should not belimited to this example.

In more detail, the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost convertercircuit 7020 is input to the first stage 7040 through a filter circuitincluding a resistor R22 and a capacitor C32. The resistor R22 may havea resistance of 10 ohms and the capacitor C32 may have a capacitance of1 microfarad.

The filter circuit including the resistor R22 and the capacitor C32 isconnected to the VCC pin (pin 4) of the integrated gate driver U6 andthe anode of Zener diode D2 at node Node3. The second terminal of thecapacitor C32 is connected to ground. The anode of the Zener diode D2 isconnected to a first terminal of capacitor C32 and a boost pin BST (pin1) of the integrated gate driver U6 at node Node7. A second terminal ofthe capacitor C31 is connected to the switching node pin SWN (pin 7) ofthe integrated gate driver U6 and between transistors Q2 and Q3 at nodeNode8. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the Zener diode D2and the capacitor C31 form part of a boot-strap charge-pump circuitconnected between the input voltage pin VCC and the boost pin BST of theintegrated gate driver U6. Because the capacitor C31 is connected to theinput voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, thecapacitor C31 charges to a voltage almost equal to the input voltagesignal VGATE through the diode D2. The capacitor C31 may have acapacitance of 220 nanofarads.

Still referring to FIG. 7B, a resistor R25 is connected between the highside gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) and the switching node pin SWN (pin7). A first terminal of a resistor R29 is connected to the low side gatedriver pin DRVL at a node Node9. A second terminal of the resistor R29is connected to ground.

A resistor R23 and a capacitor C33 form a filter circuit connected tothe input pin IN (pin 2) of the integrated gate driver U6. The filtercircuit is configured to remove high frequency noise from the secondheater enable signal COIL_Z input to the input pin IN. The second heaterenable signal COIL_Z is a PWM signal from the controller 2105. Thus, thefilter circuit is designed to filter out high frequency components of aPWM square wave pulse train, slightly reduces the rise and fall times onthe square wave edges so that transistors are turned on and offgradually.

A resistor R24 is connected to the filter circuit and the input pin INat node Node10. The resistor R24 is used as a pull-down resistor, suchthat if the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is floating (orindeterminate), then the input pin IN of the integrated gate driver U6is held at a logic low level to prevent activation of the heater 336.

A resistor R30 and a capacitor C37 form a filter circuit connected to apin OD (pin 3) of the integrated gate driver U6. The filter circuit isconfigured to remove high frequency noise from the input voltage signalVGATE input to the pin OD.

A resistor R31 is connected to the filter circuit and the pin OD at nodeNode 11. The resistor R31 is used as a pull-down resistor, such that ifthe input voltage signal VGATE is floating (or indeterminate), then thepin OD of the integrated gate driver U6 is held at a logic low level toprevent activation of the heater 336. The signal output by the filtercircuit formed by the resistor R30 and the capacitor C37 is referred toas filtered signal GATEON. R30 and R31 are also a divider circuit suchthat the signal VGATE is divided down to ˜2.5V for a transistor driverchip input.

The transistors Q2 and Q3 field-effect transistors (FETs) connected inseries between the voltage source BATT and ground. In addition, a firstterminal of an inductor L3 is connected to the voltage source BATT. Asecond terminal of the inductor L3 is connected to a first terminal of acapacitor C30 and to a drain of the transistor Q2 at a node Node12. Asecond terminal of the capacitor C30 is connected to ground. Theinductor L3 and the capacitor C30 form a filter to reduce and/or preventtransient spikes from the voltage source BATT.

The gate of the transistor Q3 is connected to the low side gate driverpin DRVL (pin 5) of the integrated gate driver U6, the drain of thetransistor Q3 is connected to the switching node pin SWN (pin 7) of theintegrated gate driver U6 at node Node8, and the source of thetransistor Q3 is connected to ground GND. When the low side gate drivesignal output from the low side gate driver pin DRVL is high, thetransistor Q3 is in a low impedance state (ON), thereby connecting thenode Node8 to ground.

As mentioned above, because the capacitor C31 is connected to the inputvoltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, thecapacitor C31 charges to a voltage equal or substantially equal to theinput voltage signal VGATE through the diode D2.

When the low side gate drive signal output from the low side gate driverpin DRVL is low, the transistor Q3 switches to the high impedance state(OFF), and the high side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) is connectedinternally to the boost pin BST within the integrated gate driver U6. Asa result, transistor Q2 is in a low impedance state (ON), therebyconnecting the switching node SWN to the voltage source BATT to pull theswitching node SWN (Node 8) to the voltage of the voltage source BATT.

In this case, the node Node7 is raised to a bootstrap voltageV(BST)≈V(VGATE)+V(BATT), which allows the gate-source voltage of thetransistor Q2 to be the same or substantially the same as the voltage ofthe input voltage signal VGATE (e.g., V(VGATE)) regardless (orindependent) of the voltage from the voltage source BATT. The circuitarrangement ensures that the BST voltage is not changed as the voltageof the voltage source drops, i.e., the transistors are efficientlyswitched even as the voltage of the voltage source BATT changes.

As a result, the switching node SWN (Node 8) provides a high currentswitched signal that may be used to generate a voltage output to thesecond stage 7060 (and a voltage output to the heater 336) that has amaximum value equal to the battery voltage source BATT, but is otherwisesubstantially independent of the voltage output from the battery voltagesource BATT.

A first terminal of a capacitor C34 and an anode of a Zener diode D4 areconnected to an output terminal to the second stage 7060 at a nodeNode13. The capacitor C34 and a resistor R28 are connected in series. Asecond terminal of the capacitor C34 and a first terminal of theresistor R28 are connected. A cathode of the Zener diode D4 and a secondterminal of the resistor R28 are connected to ground.

The capacitor C34, the Zener diode D4 and the resistor R28 form a backEMF (electric and magnetic fields) prevention circuit that preventsenergy from an inductor L4 (shown in FIG. 7C) from flowing back into thefirst stage 7040.

The resistor R25 is connected between the gate of the transistor Q2 andthe drain of the transistor Q3. The resistor R25 serves as a pull-downresistor to ensure that the transistor Q2 switches to a high impedancemore reliably.

The output of the first stage 7040 is substantially independent of thevoltage of the voltage source and is less than or equal to the voltageof the voltage source. When the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is at100% PWM, the transistor Q2 is always activated, and the output of thefirst stage 7040 is the voltage of the voltage source or substantiallythe voltage of the voltage source.

FIG. 7C illustrates the second stage 7060. The second stage 7060 booststhe voltage of the output signal from the first stage 7040. Morespecifically, when the second heater enable signal COIL_Z is at aconstant logic high level, a third enable signal COIL_X may be activatedto boost the output of the first stage 7040. The third enable signalCOIL_X is a PWM signal from the controller 2105. The controller 2105controls the widths of the pulses of the third enable signal COIL_X toboost the output of the first stage 7040 and generate the input voltagesignal COIL_OUT. When the third enable signal COIL_X is at a constantlow logic level, the output of the second stage 7060 is the output ofthe first stage 7040.

The second stage 7060 receives the input voltage signal VGATE, the thirdenable signal COIL_X and the filtered signal GATEON.

The second stage 7060 includes, among other things, an integrated gatedriver U7 configured to convert low-current signal(s) from thecontroller 2105 to high-current signals for controlling switching oftransistors of the second stage 7060. The integrated gate driver U7 isalso configured to translate voltage levels from the controller 2105 tovoltage levels required by the transistors of the second stage 7060. Inthe example embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the integrated gate driver U7is a half-bridge driver. However, example embodiments should not belimited to this example.

In more detail, the input voltage signal VGATE from the boost convertercircuit 7020 is input to the second stage 7060 through a filter circuitincluding a resistor R18 and a capacitor C28. The resistor R18 may havea resistance of 10 ohms and the capacitor C28 may have a capacitance of1 microfarad.

The filter circuit including the resistor R18 and the capacitor C28 isconnected to the VCC pin (pin 4) of the integrated gate driver U7 andthe anode of Zener diode D1 at node Node14. The second terminal of thecapacitor C28 is connected to ground. The anode of the Zener diode D2 isconnected to a first terminal of capacitor C27 and a boost pin BST (pin1) of the integrated gate driver U7 at node Node15. A second terminal ofthe capacitor C27 is connected to the switching node pin SWN (pin 7) ofthe integrated gate driver U7 and between transistors Q1 and Q4 at nodeNode16.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 7C, the Zener diode D1 and thecapacitor C27 form part of a boot-strap charge-pump circuit connectedbetween the input voltage pin VCC and the boost pin BST of theintegrated gate driver U7. Because the capacitor C27 is connected to theinput voltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, thecapacitor C27 charges to a voltage almost equal to the input voltagesignal VGATE through the diode D1. The capacitor C31 may have acapacitance of 220 nanofarads.

Still referring to FIG. 7C, a resistor R21 is connected between the highside gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) and the switching node pin SWN (pin7). A gate of the transistor Q4 is connected to the low side gate driverpin DRVL (pin 5) of the integrated date driver U7.

A first terminal of the inductor L4 is connected to the output of thefirst stage 7040 and a second terminal of the inductor L4 is connectedto the node Node16. The inductor L4 serves as the main storage elementof the output of the first stage 7040. In example operation, when theintegrated gate driver U7 outputs a low level signal from low side gatedriver pin DRVL (pin 5), the transistor Q4 switches to a low impedancestate (ON), thereby allowing current to flow through inductor L4 andtransistor Q4. This stores energy in inductor L4, with the currentincreasing linearly over time. The current in the inductor isproportional to the switching frequency of the transistors (which iscontrolled by the third heater enable signal COIL_X).

A resistor R10 and a capacitor C29 form a filter circuit connected tothe input pin IN (pin 2) of the integrated gate driver U7. The filtercircuit is configured to remove high frequency noise from the thirdheater enable signal COIL_X input to the input pin IN.

A resistor R20 is connected to the filter circuit and the input pin INat node Node17. The resistor R20 is used as a pull-down resistor, suchthat if the third heater enable signal COIL_X is floating (orindeterminate), then the input pin IN of the integrated gate driver U7is held at a logic low level to prevent activation of the heater 336.

A resistor R30 and a capacitor C37 form a filter circuit connected to apin OD (pin 3) of the integrated gate driver U6. The filter circuit isconfigured to remove high frequency noise from the input voltage signalVGATE input to the pin OD.

The pin OD of the integrated gate driver U7 receives the filtered signalGATEON.

The transistors Q1 and Q4 field-effect transistors (FETs). A gate of thetransistor Q1 and a first terminal of the resistor R21 are connected tothe high side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) of the integrated gate driverU7 at a node Node18.

A source of the transistor Q1 is connected to a second terminal of theresistor R21, an anode of a Zener diode D3, a drain of the transistorQ4, a first terminal of a capacitor C35, a second terminal of thecapacitor C27 and the switching node pin SWN (pin 7) of the integratedgate driver U7 at node Node16.

A gate of the transistor Q4 is connected to the low side gate driver pinDRVL (pin 5) of the integrated gate driver U7 and a first terminal of aresistor R27 at a node Node19. A source of the transistor Q4 and asecond terminal of the resistor R27 are connected to ground.

A second terminal of the capacitor C35 is connected to a first terminalof a resistor R29. A second terminal of the resistor R29 is connected toground.

A drain of the transistor Q1 is connected to a first terminal of acapacitor C36, a cathode of the Zener diode D3 and a cathode of a Zenerdiode D5 at a node Node20. A second terminal of the capacitor C36 and ananode of the Zener diode D5 are connected to ground. An output terminal7065 of the second stage 7060 is connected to the node Node20 andoutputs the input voltage signal COIL_OUT. The output terminal 7065serves as the output of the heating engine control circuit 2127.

The capacitor C35 may be a smoothing capacitor and the resistor limitsin-rush current. The Zener diode D3 is a blocking diode to stop avoltage in the node Node20 discharging into the capacitor C35. Thecapacitor C36 is an output capacitor charged by the second stage 7060(and reduces ripple in COIL_OUT) and the Zener diode D5 is an ESD(electrostatic discharge) protection diode.

When the low side gate drive signal output from the low side gate driverpin DRVL is high, the transistor Q4 is in a low impedance state (ON),thereby connecting the node Node16 to ground and increasing the energystored in the magnetic field of the inductor L4.

As mentioned above, because the capacitor C27 is connected to the inputvoltage signal VGATE from the boost converter circuit 7020, thecapacitor C27 charges to a voltage equal or substantially equal to theinput voltage signal VGATE through the diode D1.

When the low side gate drive signal output from the low side gate driverpin DRVL is low, the transistor Q4 switches to the high impedance state(OFF), and the high side gate driver pin DRVH (pin 8) is connectedinternally to the bootstrap pin BST within the integrated gate driverU7. As a result, transistor Q1 is in a low impedance state (ON), therebyconnecting the switching node SWN to the inductor L4.

In this case, the node Node15 is raised to a bootstrap voltage V(BST)V(VGATE)+V(INDUCTOR), which allows the gate-source voltage of thetransistor Q1 to be the same or substantially the same as the voltage ofthe input voltage signal VGATE (e.g., V(VGATE)) regardless (orindependent) of the voltage from the inductor L4. As the second stage7060 is a boost circuit, the bootstrap voltage may also be referred toas a boost voltage.

The switching node SWN (Node 8) is connected to the inductor voltage andthe output capacitor C36 is charged, generating the voltage outputsignal COIL_OUT (the voltage output to the heater 336) that issubstantially independent of the voltage output from the first stage7040.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate methods of controlling a heater in anon-combustible aerosol-generating device according to exampleembodiments.

Many non-combustible devices use a preheat of organic material (e.g.,tobacco) prior to use. The preheat is used to elevate the temperature ofthe material to a point at which the compounds of interest begin tovolatize such that the first negative pressure applied by an adultoperator contains a suitable volume and composition of aerosol.

In at least some example embodiments, applied energy is used as a basisfor controlling the heater during preheat. Using applied energy tocontrol the heater improves the quality and consistency of the firstnegative pressure applied by the adult operator. By contrast, time andtemperature are generally used as a basis for controlling the preheat.

The methods of FIGS. 8A-8B may be implemented at the controller 2105. Inone example, the methods of FIGS. 8A-8B may be implemented as part of adevice manager Finite State Machine (FSM) software implementationexecuted at the controller 2105.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the method includes applying a first power based ona first target preheat temperature at S805. An example embodiment ofS805 is further illustrated in FIG. 8B.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the controller detects that a capsule is insertedinto the aerosol-generating device. In some example embodiments, thecontroller obtains a signal from an opening closing switch coupled tothe door, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. In other exampleembodiments, the aerosol-generating device further includes (oralternatively includes) a capsule detection switch. The capsuledetection switch detects whether the capsule is properly inserted (e.g.,capsule detection switch gets pushed down/closes when the capsule isproperly inserted). Upon the capsule being properly inserted, thecontroller may generate the signal PWR_EN_VGATE (shown in FIG. 7A) as alogic high level. In addition, the controller may perform a heatercontinuity check to determine the capsule is inserted and the heaterresistance is within the specified range (e.g. ±20%).

After a capsule has been inserted (as detected by the switch) and/orwhen the aerosol-generating device 10 is turned on (e.g. by operation ofthe button), the heater 336 may be powered with a low power signal fromthe heating engine control circuit (˜1 W) for a short duration (˜50 ms)and the resistance may be calculated from the measured voltage andcurrent during this impulse of energy. If the measured resistance fallswithin the range specified (e.g. a nominal 2100 mΩ±20%) the capsule isconsidered acceptable and the system may proceed to aerosol-generation.

The low power and short duration is intended to provide a minimum amountof heating to the capsule (to prevent any generation of aerosol).

At S825, the controller obtains operating parameters from the memory.The operating parameters may include values identifying a maximum powerlevel (P_(max)), initial preheat temperature, subsequent preheattemperature and a preheat energy threshold. For example, the operatingparameters may be predetermined based on empirical data or adjustedbased on obtained measurements from the capsule (e.g., voltage andcurrent). However, example embodiments are not limited thereto. Inaddition to or alternatively, the operating parameters may includedifferent initial preheat temperatures for subsequent instances for amulti-instances device. For example, the controller may obtain operatingparameters for an initial instance and operating parameters for a secondsubsequent instance.

At S830, the controller may cause the aerosol-generating device todisplay an “on” state. The controller may cause the aerosol-generatingdevice to generate a visual indicator and/or a haptic feedback todisplay an “on” state.

At S835, the controller determines whether a preheat has started. Insome example embodiments, the controller may start the preheat uponreceiving an input from the on-product controls indicating a consumerhas a pressed a button to initiate the preheat. In some exampleembodiments, the button may be separate from a button that powers on theaerosol-generating device and in other example embodiments, the buttonmay be the same button that powers on the aerosol-generating device. Inother example embodiments, the preheat may be started based on anotherinput such as sensing an airflow above a threshold level. In otherexample embodiments, the on-product controls may permit an adultoperator to select one or more temperature profiles (each temperatureprofile associated operating parameters stored in the memory).

If the controller determines that no preheat has started, the methodproceeds to S880 where the controller determines whether an off timerhas elapsed. If the off timer has not elapsed, the method returns toS830 and if the controller determines the off timer has elapsed, thecontroller causes the aerosol-generating device to display an “off”state at S885 and power off at S890. The off timer starts when thedetected air flow falls below a threshold level. The off timer is usedto display the “off” state based on inaction for a period of time suchas 15 minutes. However, example embodiments are not limited to 15minutes. For example, the duration of the off timer may be between about5 minutes and about 60 minutes or more.

If the controller determines the preheat has started (e.g., detectsinput from the on-product controls) at S835, the controller obtains theoperating parameters associated with the input from the on-productcontrols from the memory. In an example, where the aerosol-generatinginstance is not the initial instance for the capsule, the controller mayobtain operating parameters associated with the instance number. Forexample, the memory may store different temperature targets based on theinstance number (e.g., different temperature targets for instancenumbers, respectively) and different target energy levels to use forpreheating based on the instance number.

The initial instance occurs when the controller initiates the preheatalgorithm for a first time after detecting a capsule has been removedand one has since been inserted. Additionally, the instance numberincrements if the instance times out (e.g. after 8 minutes) or if theconsumer switches off the device during an instance.

Upon obtaining the operating parameters at S840, at S845 the controllermay cause the aerosol-generating device to display an indication thatpreheat has started via the aerosol indicators.

At S850, the controller ramps up to a maximum available power to theheater (through the VGATE, COIL_Z and COIL_X signals provided to theheating engine control circuit 2127) (e.g., the controller provides amaximum available power of 10 W within 200 ms). In more detail, thecontroller requests maximum power, but ramps up to the maximum power toreduce an instantaneous load on the power supply. In an exampleembodiment, the maximum available power is a set value based on thecapability of a battery and to minimize overshoot such that theaerosol-forming substrate is not burnt by the heater (i.e., how muchenergy can be put into the aerosol-forming substrate without burning).The maximum available power may be set based on empirical evidence andmay be between 10-15 W. The controller provides the maximum availablepower until the controller determines that a target initial preheattemperature of the heater (e.g., 320° C.) is approaching, at S855. While320° C. is used as an example target initial preheat temperature, itshould be understood example embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, the target initial preheat temperature may be less than 400°C., such as 350° C. Moreover, the target initial preheat temperature isbased on the materials in the aerosol-forming substrate. The controllermay determine the temperature of the heater using the measured voltagesfrom the heater voltage measurement circuit (e.g., COIL_VOL) and thecompensation voltage measurement circuit and the measured current fromthe heater current measurement circuit (e.g., COIL_RTN_I). Thecontroller may determine the temperature of the heater 336 in any knownmanner (e.g., based on the relatively linear relationship betweenresistance and temperature of the heater 336).

Further, the controller may use the measured current COIL_RTN_I and themeasured voltage COIL_RTN to determine the resistance of the heater 336,heater resistance R_(Heater) (e.g., using Ohm's law or other knownmethods). For example, according to at least some example embodiments,the controller may divide the measured voltage COIL_RTN (or compensatedvoltage VCOMP) by the measured current COIL_RTN_I to be the heaterresistance R_(Heater).

In some example embodiments, the measured voltage COIL_RTN measured atthe measurement contacts for the resistance calculation may be used intemperature control.

For example, the controller 2105 may use the following equation todetermine (i.e., estimate) the temperature:

R _(Heater) =R ₀[1+α(T−T ₀)]

where α is the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) value of thematerial of the heater, R₀ is a starting resistance and T₀ is a startingtemperature, R_(Heater) is the current resistance determination and T isthe estimated temperature.

The starting resistance R₀ is stored in the memory 2130 by thecontroller 2105 during the initial preheat. More specifically, thecontroller 2105 may measure the starting resistance R₀ when the powerapplied to the heater 336 has reached a value where a measurement errorhas a reduced effect on the temperature calculation. For example, thecontroller 2105 may measure the starting resistance R₀ when the powersupplied to the heater 336 is 1 W (where resistance measurement error isapproximately less than 1%).

The starting temperature T₀ is the ambient temperature at the time whenthe controller 2105 measures the starting resistance R₀. The controller2105 may determine the starting temperature T₀ using an onboardthermistor to measure the starting temperature T₀ or any temperaturemeasurement device.

According to at least one example embodiment, a 10 ms (millisecond)measurement interval may be used for measurements taken from the heatercurrent measurement circuit 21258 and the heater voltage measurementcircuit 21252 (since this may be the maximum sample rate). In at leastone other example embodiment, however, for a resistance-based heatermeasurement, a 1 ms measurement interval (the tick rate of the system)may be used.

In other example embodiments, the determining of the heater temperaturevalue may include obtaining, from a look-up table (LUT), based on thedetermined resistance, a heater temperature value. In some exampleembodiments, a LUT indexed by the change in resistance relative to astarting resistance may be used.

The LUT may store a plurality of temperature values that correspond,respectively, to a plurality of heater resistances, the obtained heatertemperature value may be the temperature value, from among the pluralityof temperature values stored in the LUT, that corresponds to thedetermined resistance.

Additionally, the aerosol-generating device 10 may store (e.g., in thememory 2130) a look-up table (LUT) that stores a plurality of heaterresistance values as indexes for a plurality of respectivelycorresponding heater temperature values also stored in the LUT.Consequently, the controller may estimate a current temperature of theheater 336 by using the previously determined heater resistanceR_(Heater) as an index for the LUT to identify (e.g., look-up) acorresponding heater temperature T from among the heater temperaturesstored in the LUT.

Once the controller determines the target initial preheat temperature isapproaching, the controller begins to reduce the applied power to theheater to an intermediate power level to avoid a temperature overshootat S855.

A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller (shown in FIG. 9 )applies a proportionate control based on an error signal (i.e., thetarget temperature minus the current determined temperature) so, as theerror signal reduces towards zero, the controller 2105 starts to backoff the power being applied (this is largely controlled by aproportional term (P) of the PID controller, but an integral term (I),and a derivative term also contribute).

The P, I and D values balance overshoot, latency and steady state erroragainst one another and control how the PID controller adjusts itsoutput. The P, I and D values may be derived empirically or bysimulation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a temperature heatingengine control algorithm according to at least some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the temperature heating engine control algorithm900 uses a PID controller 970 to control an amount of power applied tothe heating engine control circuit 2127 so as to achieve a desiredtemperature. For example, as is discussed in greater detail below,according to at least some example embodiments, the temperature heatingengine control algorithm 900 includes obtaining a determined temperaturevalue 974 (e.g., determined as described above); obtaining a targettemperature value (e.g., target temperature 976) from the memory 2130;and controlling, by a PID controller (e.g., PID controller 970), a levelof power provided to the heater, based on the determined heatertemperature value and the target temperature value.

Further, according to at least some example embodiments, the targettemperature 976 serves as a setpoint (i.e., a temperature setpoint) in aPID control loop controlled by the PID controller 970.

Consequently, the PID controller 970 continuously corrects a level of apower control signal 972 so as to control a power waveform 930 (i.e.,COIL_X and COIL_Z) output by the power level setting operation 944 tothe heating engine control circuit 2127 in such a manner that adifference (e.g., a magnitude of the difference) between the targettemperature 976 and the determined temperature 974 is reduced or,alternatively, minimized. The difference between the target temperature976 and the determined temperature 974 may also be viewed as an errorvalue which the PID controller 970 works to reduce or minimize.

For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the powerlevel setting operation 944 outputs the power waveform 930 such thatlevels of the power waveform 930 are controlled by the power controlsignal 972. The heating engine control circuit 2127 causes an amount ofpower provided to the heater 336 by the power supply 1234 to increase ordecrease in manner that is proportional to an increase or decrease in amagnitude of the power levels of a power level waveform output to theheating engine control circuit 2127. Consequently, by controlling thepower control signal 972, the PID controller 970 controls a level ofpower provided to the heater 336 (e.g., by the power supply 1234) suchthat a magnitude of the difference between a target temperature value(e.g., target temperature 976) and a determined temperature value (e.g.,determined temperature 974) is reduced, or alternatively, minimized.

According to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 970may operate in accordance with known PID control methods. According toat least some example embodiments, the PID controller 970 may generate 2or more terms from among the proportional term (P), the integral term(I), and the derivative term (D), and the PID controller 970 may use thetwo or more terms to adjust or correct the power control signal 972 inaccordance with known methods. In some example embodiments, the same PIDsettings for the initial and subsequent preheat phases may be used.

In other example embodiments, different PID settings may be used foreach phase (e.g., if the temperature targets used for the initial andsubsequent preheats are substantially different).

FIG. 10 shows an example manner in which levels of the power waveform930 may vary over time as the PID controller 970 continuously correctsthe power control signal 972 provided to the power level settingoperation 944. FIG. 10 shows an example manner in which levels of thepower waveform 930 may vary as temperature thresholds and energythresholds are reached. The power in FIG. 10 is COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR. InFIG. 10 , the PID loop will start to lower the applied power from amaximum power P_(max) as the temperature approaches the setpoint, whichreduces overshoot of the target temperature.

FIG. 10 is discussed in further detail below.

Referring back to FIG. 8A, the controller determines an estimated energythat has been delivered to the heater as part of applying the firstpower, at S810.

As shown in FIG. 8B and previously discussed, the controller controlspower supplied to the heater at S855. At S860, the controller determineswhether an estimated energy applied to the heater has reached a preheatenergy threshold. More specifically, the controller integrates the powerdelivered to the heater since starting the preheat to estimate theenergy delivered to the heater. In an example embodiment, the controllerdetermines the power (Power=COIL_VOL*COIL_CUR) applied to the heaterevery millisecond and uses that determined power as part of theintegration.

If the controller determines the preheat energy threshold has not beenmet, the method proceeds to S855 where power is supplied to the heateras part of the preheating process of the heater.

When the controller determines the applied energy reaches the preheatenergy threshold (e.g., 75J), the controller causes theaerosol-generating device to output a preheat complete indication atS865 via the aerosol indicators.

Referring to both FIGS. 8A and 8B, the controller applies a second powerto the heater at S815 upon the preheat energy threshold being met. Thesecond power may be less than the first power.

The controller changes the target initial preheat temperature of theheater to a subsequent preheat temperature (e.g., 300° C.) and thecontroller reduces input power accordingly to the second power using thetemperature control algorithm described in FIG. 9 . The subsequentpreheat temperature may be based on empirical data and less than thetarget initial preheat temperature. In some example embodiments, thesubsequent preheat temperature may be based on a number of times anegative pressure is applied to the device with the capsule in thedevice.

While FIG. 8B and FIG. 10 illustrate preheating to a subsequent preheattemperature target, an adult operator may start aerosol-generation afterthe initial preheat temperature target is reached. More specifically,the controller 2105 may initiate aerosol-generation (i.e., supplyingpower to the heater such that the heater reaches a temperaturesufficient to produce an aerosol) upon detecting a negative pressurebeing applied by the adult operator and upon the initial preheattemperature target being reached.

The preheat energy threshold may be determined based on empirical dataand determined to be sufficient energy to produce a desired/selectedamount of aerosol upon a negative pressure above a pressure thresholdbeing applied.

At S875, the adult operator may apply a negative pressure to theaerosol-generating device. In response, the aerosol-generating deviceheats the pre-aerosol formulation in the capsule to generate an aerosol.

By using applied energy as a factor for controlling the temperature ofthe heater and/or during of heating, sensory experience and energyefficiency are improved, resulting in conservation of battery power.

FIG. 10 illustrates a timing diagram of the methods illustrated in FIGS.8A-8B. At T₁, the preheat commences and the controller ramps up power toapply a first power to the heater, which in this example is a maximumpower P_(max). At T₂, the controller determines the heater isapproaching an initial preheat target temperature Temp1 (due toreduction in error signal in the PID control loop) and begins to reducethe applied power from P_(max) to an intermediate power P_(int) to avoida temperature overshoot. The reduction to the intermediate power P_(int)includes at least two intervals Int1 and Int2. The controller reducesthe power at a faster rate (i.e., larger slope) than during the intervalInt2. The interval Int2 has a smaller rate of change to allow theintermediate power Pint to be reached at substantially the same time thecontroller determines the initial preheat temperature Temp1 has beenreached. The PID settings used for the preheat may be the same for bothintervals Int1 and Int2 (e.g., P=100, I=0.25 and D=0). The change inpower application during intervals Int1 and Int2 is a result of thereduction in temperature error signal.

At T₃, the controller determines the initial preheat temperature Temp1has been reached. At T₄, the controller determines the applied energyreaches the preheat energy threshold and reduces the power to a secondpower P₂ to maintain the temperature of the heater at a subsequentpreheat temperature Temp2.

The transition from the intermediate power P_(int) to the second powerP₂ includes two intervals Int3 and Int4. In the interval Int3, thecontroller decreases the power at a first slope. In the interval Int4,the controller increases the power at a slope whose magnitude is lessthan the magnitude of the first slope. The controller starts theinterval Int4, when the power is at P_(dip), which is less than thesecond power P₂.

According to one or more example embodiments, a (non-combustible)aerosol-generating device may determine the validity of an insertedcapsule based on a length of time a maximum power is applied to theheater, measured heating characteristics and/or heating characteristicwaveforms (also referred to as profiles) for at least a portion of thecapsule (e.g., the heater and/or aerosol-forming substrate) and controlthe aerosol-generating device based on the determined validity of thecapsule. The aerosol-generating device may measure and record theheating characteristics and/or heating characteristic waveforms inreal-time.

According to one or more example embodiments, an aerosol-generatingdevice may be configured to determine the validity of a capsule duringpreheating of the capsule, and to enable or disable further preheatingand/or aerosol generation based on whether the capsule is a validcapsule.

Among other things, the aerosol-generating device may include acontroller and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. Thecontroller may be configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the aerosol-generating device to: apply power tothe heater during a preheat interval; record, during at least a portionof the preheat interval, one or more heating characteristic waveformsresulting from application of power to the heater during the preheatinterval; and determine whether the capsule is valid based on the one ormore heating characteristic waveforms and/or a length of time a maximumpower is applied to the heater. The maximum power applied to the heatermay be measured directly.

According to one or more example embodiments, one or more heatingcharacteristics and/or characteristic waveforms (e.g., during at least aportion of an initial preheat from an initial (e.g., room) temperatureto an initial preheat temperature target) may be correlated to a numberof physical variables in the construction of the capsule. These physicalvariables may include, for example: (i) the composition of theaerosol-forming substrate (e.g., organic plant materials, or the like)in terms of thermal mass, thermal conductivity within the mass ofaerosol-forming substrate, thermal contact with the heater, or the like,which change as the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted; (ii) theconstruction of the heater in terms of surface area, thermal mass,Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR), structural integrity (e.g.,partial short circuits caused by individual elements of the heatercontacting with one another), or the like; and/or (iii) materialsutilized in the body of the capsule (e.g., the thermal mass andconductivity of the materials), such as the shell or housing componentof the capsule where the material(s) used for the shell, and its (their)thickness, may have a relatively strong influence on the heatingcharacteristics of the capsule.

These physical variables may be indicative of the validity of theaerosol-forming substrate and/or the construction of the capsule. As aresult, deviations from expected heating characteristics (and/or heatingcharacteristic waveforms) may be utilized to determine whether a capsuleinserted into the aerosol-generating device is a valid capsule (e.g.,whether the capsule is authentic (or counterfeit), whether the capsulemeets relatively stringent production standards (is of sufficientquality), whether the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted orsubstantially depleted, or the like).

As discussed herein, a valid capsule may refer to, for example, anauthentic, properly manufactured capsule (e.g., a capsule of appropriateor sufficient quality and within manufacturing tolerances or relativelystringent production standards), a capsule that has not been damaged ortampered with prior to insertion into the aerosol-generating device, acapsule that is not depleted (e.g., entirely depleted), or the like.

The one or more heating characteristic waveforms may include a recordedresistance waveform (also referred to as a characteristic resistancesignature), an applied power waveform (also referred to as an appliedpower signature and/or a recorded temperature waveform (also referred toas a characteristic temperature waveform). The one or more heatingcharacteristic waveforms may be acquired during preheating of the heaterto the target preheat temperature. According to one or more exampleembodiments, an airflow waveform may also be recorded. The airflowwaveform may be utilized to compensate (or mask out) disturbancesinduced in the other waveforms. The time period during which the one ormore heating characteristic waveforms are recorded may be referred to asa validity determination period.

According to at least one example embodiment, the controller maydetermine whether the capsule is valid based on a comparison between theone or more heating characteristic waveforms and a corresponding one ormore expected heating characteristic envelopes (also referred to asprofiles, signatures or waveforms). As discussed herein, the one or moreexpected heating characteristic envelopes may be more generally referredto as capsule validation information, capsule verification informationor capsule authentication information. Capsule validation informationmay be stored in memory. In one example, the capsule validationinformation may be stored in a look-up table (LUT).

The one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes may includeone or more of an expected resistance profile envelope, an expectedpower profile envelope, and/or an expected temperature profile envelopethat is expected in response to application of power to the heater inthe capsule during preheating. The controller may compare the one ormore heating characteristic waveforms recorded during preheating withcorresponding ones of the one or more expected heating characteristicenvelopes to determine whether a capsule inserted into theaerosol-generating device is valid.

The expected resistance profile envelope may be defined as an upper andlower resistance bound at each 1 ms time step or ‘tick’ of a timerinterval (e.g., at least a portion of the preheating interval). Theexpected power profile envelope may be defined as an upper and lowerpower bound at each 1 ms time step or ‘tick’ of the timer interval. Theexpected temperature profile envelope may be defined as an upper andlower temperature bound at each 1 ms time step or ‘tick’ of the timerinterval.

The upper and lower bounds for each of the one or more expected heatingcharacteristic envelopes at each 1 ms tick may be set as desired basedon, for example, empirical evidence or testing results obtained on thebasis of capsules known to be valid.

In one example, a tolerance of about ±5% from nominal may be used as theupper and lower bounds. Example embodiments should not, however, belimited to this example. Rather, in another example, a tighter tolerance(e.g., ±about 1% from nominal) may be used at the start of the waveform,and the tolerance may increase as the waveform progresses. This mayreflect the practical consideration that at the start of the waveformthe profile may be more well controlled (e.g., being dominated by theheater construction) than at the end of the waveform wherein the profilemay be dominated by the more variable influence of tobacco composition,thermal conduction etc.

Example heating characteristic waveforms will be discussed later withregard to FIGS. 13-19 .

Example embodiments will be discussed in more detail below with regardto the devices and electrical systems described earlier (e.g., in FIGS.1A-10 ). However, example embodiments should not be limited to theseexamples.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a flow chart showing a method forcontrolling an aerosol-generating device according to exampleembodiments.

For example purposes, the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A and 11Bwill be described with regard to operations performed by the controller2105 in FIG. 3 . However, example embodiments should not be limited tothis example. The method shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B may be described asbeing performed by an aerosol-generating device including at least oneprocessor and a memory storing computer-executable instructions, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the aerosol-generating device toperform operations of one or more example embodiments. Additionally, theprocessor, memory and example algorithms, encoded as computer programcode, may serve as means for providing or causing performance ofoperations discussed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, at S820 the controller 2105 detects thatthe capsule 100 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 10 in thesame or substantially the same manner as discussed above with regard toS820 in FIG. 8B.

At S825, the controller 2105 obtains operating parameters from thememory 2130 in the same or substantially the same manner as discussedabove with regard to S825 in FIG. 8B.

At S830, the controller 2105 causes the aerosol-generating device 10 todisplay an “ON” state in the same or substantially the same manner asdiscussed above with regard to S830 in FIG. 8B.

At S835, the controller 2105 determines whether preheat of theaerosol-generating device 10 has started in the same or substantiallythe same manner as discussed above with regard to S835 in FIG. 8B.

If the controller 2105 determines that preheat has not started, then atS880 the controller 2105 determines whether an off timer has lapsed. Theoff timer is used to display the “OFF” state based on inaction for aperiod of time such as 15 minutes. However, example embodiments are notlimited to 15 minutes. For example, the duration of the off timer may bebetween about 5 minutes and about 60 minutes or more. In one example,the off timer may start when the capsule 100 is inserted (and theaerosol-generating device 10 switches on).

If the off timer has not lapsed, then the method returns to S830 andcontinues as discussed herein.

Returning to S880, if the controller 2105 determines the off timer haslapsed, then the controller 2105 causes the aerosol-generating device 10to display the “OFF” state at S885 and to power off at S890 as discussedabove with regard to FIG. 8B.

Returning to S835, if the controller 2105 determines the preheat hasstarted (e.g., detects input from the on-product controls), then atS1140 the controller 2105 obtains the operating parameters associatedwith the input from the on-product controls from the memory 2130 in thesame or substantially the same manner as discussed above with regard toS840 in FIG. 8B. Also at S1140, the controller 2105 initiates a preheattimer at the clock circuit 2128. The preheat timer tracks the currentpreheat time interval for the capsule 100.

Upon obtaining the operating parameters and initiating the preheat timerat S1140, at S845 the controller 2105 causes the aerosol-generatingdevice 10 to display an indication that preheat has started via theaerosol indicators 2135 in the same or substantially the same manner asdiscussed above with regard to S845 in FIG. 8B.

At S1156, the controller 2105 initiates the maximum power timer and thepreheat monitor timer. The preheat monitor timer is a timer that definesthe length of the measurement window used to record samples for thesubsequent capsule validity check of the capsule 100. In one example,the measurement window may be about 7 seconds. The maximum power timertracks the length of time at which the system is at maximum power (e.g.,a maximum available power is applied to the heater 336).

Turning to FIG. 11B, at S855 the controller 2105 applies power to(activates) the heater 336. In one example, the controller 2105 causesthe heating engine control circuit 2127 to provide a maximum availablepower (e.g., about 10 W) to the heater 336 (through the VGATE, COIL_Zand COIL_X signals provided to the heating engine control circuit 2127)in the same or substantially the same manner as discussed above withregard to S850 in FIG. 8B.

In one example, the controller 2105 causes the heating engine controlcircuit 2127 to apply the maximum available power until the controller2105 determines that the target initial preheat temperature of theheater 336 (e.g., 320° C.) is approaching. The controller 2105 maydetermine that the target initial preheat temperature of the heater 336(e.g., 320° C.) is approaching in the same or substantially the samemanner as discussed above with regard to FIG. 8B.

Although not shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, if an adult operator draws on(e.g., applies sufficient negative pressure to) the aerosol-generatingdevice 10 during preheating (e.g., negative pressure sufficient totrigger detection of air flow by the sensor 1248 and activate theaerosol-generating device 10), the controller 2105 may measure themagnitude of the air flow through the aerosol-generating device 10 andcompensate for the induced change in the heating characteristicsaccordingly. The controller 2105 may measure the magnitude of the airflow based on information from the sensor 1248 in any known manner.

The controller 2105 may compensate for the induced change in the heatingcharacteristics by disregarding (or, alternatively, filtering out) therecorded measurements for the duration of the airflow and a period ofsettling time thereafter. In one example, the period of settling timemay be the same or substantially the same as the length of the airflowevent. In this example, the affected portion of time would not beincluded in the validity check for the capsule 100.

In another example, the controller 2105 may utilize a mathematicalpermutation to correct the waveform cooling effect caused by theairflow.

In another example, the controller 2105 may calculate the estimatedcooling effect of the airflow and the power surge/resistance changeinduced by the cooling effect based on, for example, a state-space modelof the system. The estimated changes may then form an array ofcorrection factors that the controller 2105 may subtract/add asnecessary (e.g., the power surge would be subtracted, and the resistancedecrease added) to correct and/or compensate the heating characteristicwaveforms.

By compensating for the induced change, occurrence of false positivesresulting from the application of negative pressure during preheatingmay be reduced and/or prevented.

Referring back to FIG. 11B, at S1160 the controller 2105 records thepower applied to the heater 336, and measures and records one or more ofa plurality of heating characteristics for the heater 336 at each 1 mstick (time step) during the measurement window to generate/obtain theone or more heating characteristic waveforms (e.g., recorded resistancewaveform, an applied power waveform and/or a recorded temperaturewaveform) for the heater 336. As also discussed above, the controller2105 may also record an airflow waveform, which may be used to, forexample, compensate (or mask out) disturbances induced in the otherwaveforms.

In more detail, for example, to generate the recorded resistancewaveform, the controller 2105 may measure the resistance of the heater336 at each 1 ms time step based on a measured voltage across andcurrent through the heater 336 according to the well-known equationR=V/I. The measured current through the heater 336 may be provided by,or determined based on information provided by, the current measurementcircuit 21258. The measured voltage across the heater 336 may beprovided by, or determined based on information provided by, the voltagemeasurement circuit 21252. Alternatively, the controller 2105 maycompute and/or monitor the resistance of the heater 336 continuously togenerate the recorded resistance waveform.

To generate the applied power waveform, the controller 2105 may computethe instantaneous power across the heater 336 at each 1 ms time stepbased on the measured voltage across and current through the heater 336according to the well-known equation P=I×V. The measured current andvoltage across the heater 336 may be provided in the same orsubstantially the same manner as discussed above with regard to theresistance measurements. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may computeand/or monitor the applied power to the heater 336 continuously togenerate the applied power waveform.

To generate the temperature waveform, the controller 2105 may computethe temperature of the heater 336 at each 1 ms time step in the same orsubstantially the same manner as discussed above with regard to S855 inFIG. 8B. Alternatively, the controller 2105 may compute and/or monitorthe temperature of the heater 336 continuously to generate the recordedtemperature waveform.

To generate the airflow waveform, the controller 2105 may record, inmemory 2130, a measurement provided by, for example, the sensor 1248either continuously or at each 1 ms time step.

Example heating characteristic waveforms will be discussed in moredetail later.

Still referring to FIG. 11B, at S1162 the controller 2105 determineswhether the power (e.g., instantaneous power) P_(APPLIED) currentlyapplied to the heater 336 (e.g., at the next 1 ms time step) is belowthe maximum available power P_(MAX). In one example, the power appliedto the heater 336 may fall below the maximum available power as thetemperature of the heater 336 approaches (or reaches) the target initialpreheat temperature (e.g., about 320° C.). For example, if thecontroller 2105 determines that the temperature of the heater 336 isapproaching the target initial preheat temperature, then the controller2105 may begin to reduce the applied power to the heater 336 to anintermediate power level to avoid a temperature overshoot. According toone or more example embodiments, the continued application of themaximum available power to the heater 336 may indicate that thetemperature of the heater 336 has not reached the target initial preheattemperature. According to at least one other example embodiment, thecontroller 2105 may use the heater power target rather than the powerP_(APPLIED) in the check performed at S1162.

If the power applied to the heater 336 is not below the maximumavailable power (the maximum available power is still being applied tothe heater 336), then at S1168 the controller 2105 determines whetherthe preheat monitor timer has lapsed (or, alternatively, reached themaximum preheat measurement window threshold). As mentioned above, anexample length of the preheat monitor timer (or value of the maximumpreheat measurement window threshold) may be about 7 seconds.

If the preheat monitor timer has not lapsed, then the process returns toS855 and continues as discussed herein.

Returning to S1168, if the controller 2105 determines that the preheatmonitor timer has lapsed, then at S1170 the controller 2105 determineswhether the capsule 100 is a valid (or authentic) capsule based on theone or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms and one or morecorresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes stored in thememory 2130. The controller 2105 may determine whether the capsule isvalid based on a comparison between one or more of the recordedcharacteristic waveforms and the corresponding one or more expectedheating characteristic envelopes. An example embodiment of the validitydetermination at S1170 will be discussed in more detail later withregard to FIG. 12 .

If the controller 2105 determines that the capsule 100 is not a validcapsule at S1170, then at S1176 the controller 2105 terminatesapplication of power to the heater 336. In one example, the controller2105 may terminate application of power to the heater 336 in the same orsubstantially the same manner as discussed above with regard to 6550 inFIG. 6B.

At S1180, the controller 2105 then outputs a fault indication via theaerosol indicators 2135. In one example, the fault indication may be inthe form of a sound, visual display and/or haptic feedback. For example,the indication may be a blinking red LED, a software message containingan error code that is sent (e.g., via Bluetooth) to a connected “App” ona remote electronic device, any combination thereof, or the like.

Returning to S1170, if the controller 2105 determines that the capsule100 is valid, then at S1174 the controller 2105 permits the preheat tocontinue, and aerosol generation is permitted. In this case, in responseto application of a negative pressure to the aerosol-generating deviceby an adult operator, the aerosol-generating device 10 may heat theaerosol-forming substrate in the capsule 100 to generate an aerosol.

Returning to S1162, if the controller 2105 determines that the appliedpower is less than the maximum available power, then at S1164 thecontroller 2105 stops the maximum power timer.

At S1166, the controller 2105 then determines whether the value of themaximum power timer is within an acceptable range (e.g., between aminimum and maximum value). In one example, the maximum timer value maybe about 5 seconds and the minimum timer value may be about 2.5 seconds.

If the controller 2105 determines that the value of the maximum powertimer is within the acceptable range (e.g., greater than or equal to theminimum timer value, but less than or equal to the maximum timer value),then the process proceeds to S1168 and continues as discussed above.

Returning to S1166, if the controller 2105 determines that the value ofthe maximum power timer is outside of the acceptable range, then theprocess proceeds to S1176 and continues as discussed above.

Although FIGS. 11A and 11B are discussed above with regard to activationof preheat by an adult operator, example embodiments may be utilizedbefore activation of the preheat by the adult operator (e.g., during apre-check of validity, authenticity and/or integrity of the capsule100). In this example, the authentication routine may be runautonomously (e.g., upon inserting of the capsule) before indicating tothe adult operator that the capsule 100 is valid and may be preheated.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining whether acapsule is valid (e.g., at S1170 in FIG. 11B) according to exampleembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12 , at S1210 the controller 2105 determines whetherthe one or more recorded heating characteristic waveforms are within thebounds of the corresponding one or more expected heating characteristicenvelopes. In one example, the controller 2105 may compare the recordedresistance waveform with the expected resistance profile envelope(defined as an upper and lower resistance bound at each 1 ms tick) todetermine whether the recorded resistance value at each 1 ms tick iswithin the bounds of the expected resistance at the corresponding pointin the expected resistance profile envelope; the controller 2105 maycompare the applied power waveform with the expected power profileenvelope (defined as an upper and lower power bound at each 1 ms tick)to determine whether the recorded power value at each 1 ms tick iswithin the bounds of the expected power at the corresponding point inthe expected power profile envelope; and/or the controller 2105 maycompare the recorded temperature waveform with the expected temperatureprofile envelope (defined as an upper and lower temperature bound ateach 1 ms tick) to determine whether the recorded temperature value ateach 1 ms tick is within the bounds of the expected temperature at thecorresponding point in the expected temperature profile envelope.

According to example embodiments, lengths of any or all of the expectedheating characteristic envelopes may be interpolated or decimated asneeded to match the length of the recorded heating characteristicwaveforms (e.g., to match the length of the measurement window and/ordepending on the actual length of the preheating).

Still referring to FIG. 12 , if at least a portion (e.g., one or moredata points) of one or more (e.g., any) of the recorded heatingcharacteristic waveforms are outside the bounds of the correspondingexpected heating characteristic envelopes, then the controller 2105determines that the capsule is not valid at S1240.

Returning to S1210, if each of the one or more recorded heatingcharacteristic waveforms are within the bounds of the correspondingexpected heating characteristic envelopes, then at S1220 the controller2105 determines whether any sharp positive or negative gradients arepresent in one or more of the heating characteristic waveforms.

In at least one example embodiment, the controller 2105 determineswhether any sharp positive or negative gradients are present in therecorded resistance waveform by comparing two resistance valuesseparated by a given time period (referred to herein as the gradientthreshold time period or measurement window). The length of the timeperiod may be as small as one sample (e.g., about 1 ms), but may alsoinclude a plurality of samples. In one example, the time period may be64 samples (about 64 ms) to ensure that the system may detect lowergradients (albeit still gradients that are beyond what may be expectedfor a normally operating system). In one example, the maximum permittedrate of change of resistance may be about 3% per 64 ms. However, exampleembodiments should not be limited to this example. Rather, the maximumpermitted rate of change of resistance may be greater than or equal toabout 3%. Additionally, for different (e.g., smaller) time periods, themaximum permitted change of resistance may be less than 3% (e.g., about1% or 2%).

If the percentage change in magnitude (positive or negative) between thetwo resistance values separated by the time period (percentage change inresistance) exceeds (is greater than) a threshold value (percentagechange threshold value), then a sharp gradient is determined to bepresent in the recorded waveform. The percentage change threshold valuemay be set to be greater than the resistance change that may be expecteddue to normal heating or cooling effects (e.g., the percentage thresholdvalue may be a value that is physically impossible). In one example, thepercentage change threshold value may be about 3%. However, exampleembodiments should not be limited to this example.

Still referring to FIG. 12 , if the controller 2105 determines thatsharp positive or negative gradients are present in the recordedresistance waveform, then the controller 2105 determines that thecapsule is not valid at S1240.

Returning to S1220, if the controller 2105 determines that there are nosharp positive or negative gradients present in the recorded resistancewaveform, then the controller 2105 determines that the capsule is validat S1230.

The example embodiments shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12 are discussedwith regard to initiation in response to inserting a capsule into theaerosol-generating device (e.g., at S820). These example embodiments maybe utilized in connection with a newly inserted capsule. According to atleast some example embodiments, the validation may be omitted for asubsequent preheat (e.g., after a time between operation, such as afterpower off and power on) since the capsule has already been validatedduring the initial preheat, and the aerosol-generating device has notdetected that the capsule has not been removed and a new capsuleinserted. However, example embodiments should not be limited to thisexample. Rather, example embodiments may also be utilized forre-validating a capsule for subsequent operation by an adult operator(e.g., after power off and power on). In this case, step S820 may beomitted from the process, and the method may be initiated or triggeredat, for example, power on.

In at least one example, for re-validation, the tolerance for thewaveforms may be increased (e.g., to about ±30%) and the permitted rangeof the maximum power timer at S1166 may be increased to, for example,between about 1 s and about 5 s. These changes may be sufficient toaccommodate a now at least partially depleted capsule, but to stilldetect a gross error that manifested during operation.

Alternatively, the tolerance and the timer may be de-rated in a morecontrolled way (e.g., by estimating depletion of the capsule based onthe cumulative length of the operation so far, or the number of draws bythe adult operator after the capsule has been inserted).

Additionally, for re-validation, the discontinuity checks at S1220 inFIG. 12 may be omitted since these characteristics may be unaffected bythe depletion of the capsule.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating recorded waveforms for a valid capsuleaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the recorded waveforms shownin FIG. 13 . The graph in FIG. 14 illustrates the initial rise portionof the waveforms (between 0 and about 3 seconds) in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the recorded waveforms include thecharacteristic temperature waveform (in Celsius), the characteristicresistance waveform (in mΩ) and the applied power waveform (in mW). Asmentioned similarly above, the characteristic temperature waveformillustrates the characteristic temperature rise time and may bemathematically derived from measured resistance values for the heater(e.g., heater 336). The characteristic resistance waveform may beinfluenced by the heater itself and/or the organic mass in contact withthe heater 336.

In this example, for the valid capsule, the resistance of the heatersubstantially stabilizes once the preheat temperature is reached (e.g.,after about 5 s). The stabilizing of the heater resistance may cause anartefact as shown more clearly in FIG. 14 . In one example, the artefactmay be a result of wetting effects.

The applied power waveform illustrates the time at maximum power (alsoreferred to as “Time at Max Power” characteristic or interval), which isabout 4 s in this example. As shown, the maximum power is about 10 W. Atthe end of the Time at Max Power interval, a power roll-off occurs inwhich the power to the heater falls to a steady state (e.g., about 4 W).The power roll-off may be a system characteristic, which may beinfluenced by the organic mass in contact with the heater, the PIDsettings, the mass of the heater, etc.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating recorded waveforms for a degraded andinvalid capsule according to example embodiments.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the waveforms shown in FIG. 15 . Thegraph in FIG. 16 illustrates the initial rise portion of the waveformsin more detail.

The waveforms shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are examples associated with acapsule that has been degraded by the depletion of organics throughprior operation of the aerosol-generating device, thereby resulting in achange in thermal response. However, similar deviations from thewaveforms shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be used to detect other types ofinvalid capsules (e.g., wrong organic matter, incorrect heater mass,etc.).

As shown in FIG. 15 , the ‘Time at Max Power’ interval is reduced fromabout 4 s to about 2 s relative to the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Moreover, the power roll-off is sharper than the example shown in FIG.13 . Additional noise is also present in the applied power indicatingthat the system may be thermally over responsive (e.g., relatively smallpower fluctuations cause relatively large temperature changes). Theresistance of the heater also stabilizes, and the preheat temperature isreached, in about 2 s, as opposed to about 5 s in the example shown inFIG. 13 .

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating recorded waveforms for another examplevalid capsule according to example embodiments. The waveforms shown inFIG. 17 are associated with a valid capsule when a second preheat isused during an airflow (or puff) event.

As shown in FIG. 17 , the airflow event during the initial preheatingdoes not affect the applied power because the maximum available power isalready being applied to the heater. This airflow does, however, coolthe system, which results in a decrease (e.g., relatively smalldecrease) in resistance. The subsequent airflow event after the powerapplied to the heater falls below the maximum available power (e.g.,around about 4 s), cools the heater. As a result, the power applied tothe heater is increased to maintain the temperature of the heater. Thisincreased power continues after the airflow event ends (e.g., about 1 slater) as the system recovers from lost energy. In one example, thesystem may compensate for the airflow by ignoring the features forapproximately double the length of the airflow event.

In the example shown in FIG. 17 , the Time at Max Power interval isabout 2.5 s. This reduction in length of the Time at Max Power intervalrelative to the example shown in FIG. 13 , in which the Time at MaxPower interval is about 4 s, may indicate that the capsule has beenheated previously, but not fully depleted, and thus remains a validcapsule.

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating a recorded waveforms for another invalidcapsule according to example embodiments.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the waveforms shown in FIG. 18 . Thegraph in FIG. 19 illustrates the discontinuity in resistance in moredetail.

The waveforms shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an example of a sharpnegative gradient in a characteristic resistance waveform resulting froma heater fault (e.g., due to an intermittent heater short circuit)within the capsule.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the ‘Time at Max Power’ interval is about4 s and the power roll-off remains substantially the same as for a validcapsule shown in FIG. 13 . In the characteristic resistance waveform,however, the heater fault results in a measured discontinuity or sharpnegative gradient (sharp drop) in resistance for a period of time. In atleast some cases, this discontinuity may be more likely to occur duringthe initial phase of heating due to, for example, the thermal shock ofthe heater.

As discussed similarly above with regard to S1220 in FIG. 12 , thediscontinuity or sharp negative gradient may be detected by monitoringfor a gradient shift in the characteristic resistance waveform greaterthan expected from heating or cooling. In one example, a gradient shiftof greater than about 3% of a previous resistance value within a single1 ms sample may indicate that there is a discontinuity in the resistancewaveform. In another example, a gradient shift of greater than about 3%of a previous resistance value within a 64 ms interval may indicate thatthere is a discontinuity in the resistance waveform.

One or more example embodiments provide the ability to detect whether acapsule is of degraded quality or has been heated previously, which mayreduce the likelihood that adult operators receive a relatively poorsensory experience and/or prevent operation of an aerosol-generatingdevice with unauthorized counterfeit products.

By detecting the degraded quality shortly after start of operation ofthe aerosol-generating device (e.g., during the initial preheat), thedetermination may be made early and communicated to the adult operator,while also terminating operation of the aerosol-generating device.

Measurement of the intrinsic physical characteristics of a capsule fordetecting whether a capsule is valid, according to one or more exampleembodiments, may provide a relatively low cost manner in which todetermine validity. The additive cost to the aerosol-generating devicemay also be reduced because the measurement technique employs circuitryalready implemented for the purposes of accurate control of the sensoryexperience of the capsule.

Aerosol-generating devices according to one or more example embodimentsinclude an integrated heater element and utilize precision heatercontrol electronics that enables measurement and monitoring of acharacteristic preheating curve in order to determine validity,authenticity, build quality and/or depletion status of the capsule.

One or more example embodiments may also enable detection ofunauthorized reuse of a capsule to create a counterfeit capsule.

One or more example embodiments also provide the ability to detect(e.g., via the recorded heating characteristic waveforms andcorresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes) unexpected,relatively short duration artefacts within the characteristic preheatingcurve that, while still within the bounds of the acceptablecharacteristic envelopes, are indicative of possible build qualityissues with the capsule (e.g., the heater). These artefacts may beexposed as the heater experiences thermal shock associated with therapid rise from room temperature to a temperature to generating aerosol.

Further to the non-limiting embodiments set forth herein, additionaldetails of the substrates, capsules, devices, and methods discussedherein may also be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/451,662, filedJun. 25, 2019, titled “CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATINGDEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL,” Atty. Dkt. No.24000NV-000522-US; U.S. application Ser. No. 16/252,951, filed Jan. 21,2019, titled “CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES,AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL,” Atty. Dkt. No. 24000NV-000521-US;U.S. application Ser. No. 15/845,501, filed Dec. 18, 2017, titled“VAPORIZING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A COMPOUND USING THESAME,” Atty. Dkt. No. 24000DM-000012-US; and U.S. application Ser. No.15/559,308, filed Sep. 18, 2017, titled “VAPORIZER FOR VAPORIZING ANACTIVE INGREDIENT,” Atty. Dkt. No. 24000DM-000003-US-NP, the disclosuresof each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, itshould be understood that other variations may be possible. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would beobvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-combustible aerosol-generating devicecomprising: a capsule including an aerosol-forming substrate and aheater configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate; a memorystoring computer-readable instructions; and a controller configured toexecute the computer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to apply power to the heater during a preheatinterval, record, during at least a portion of the preheat interval, oneor more heating characteristic waveforms resulting from application ofthe power to the heater during the preheat interval, and determinewhether the capsule is valid based on one or more of the heatingcharacteristic waveforms.
 2. The non-combustible aerosol-generatingdevice of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to terminate application of power to theheater in response to determining that the capsule is not valid.
 3. Thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructionsto cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to enable aerosolgeneration in response to determining that the capsule is valid.
 4. Thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the one ormore heating characteristic waveforms include one or more of aresistance characteristic waveform, an applied power waveform, or atemperature characteristic waveform.
 5. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein the resistancecharacteristic waveform indicates changes in resistance of the heaterover time, the applied power waveform indicates a level of power appliedto the heater over time, and the temperature characteristic waveformindicates a temperature of the heater over time.
 6. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine whether thecapsule is valid based on the one or more of the heating characteristicwaveforms and one or more corresponding expected heating characteristicenvelopes.
 7. The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 6,wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine that a first heating characteristic waveform, among the one ormore of the heating characteristic waveforms, is outside the bounds of acorresponding first expected heating characteristic envelope, among theone or more corresponding expected heating characteristic envelopes, anddetermine that the capsule is not valid in response to the first heatingcharacteristic waveform being outside the bounds of the correspondingfirst expected heating characteristic envelope.
 8. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 6, wherein the one or more heatingcharacteristic waveforms include a resistance characteristic waveform,and the controller is configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine whether a sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform, and determine whether the capsule is validbased on whether the sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform.
 9. The non-combustible aerosol-generatingdevice of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to determine whether the sharp gradient ispresent in the resistance characteristic waveform based on a change inresistance of the heater during a gradient threshold time interval. 10.The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 9, wherein thecontroller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructionsto cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to determinewhether the sharp gradient is present in the resistance characteristicwaveform by computing a percentage change in resistance of the heaterduring the gradient threshold time interval, and determining whether thesharp gradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveformbased on a comparison between the percentage change in resistance and apercentage change threshold value.
 11. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 10, wherein the controller isconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine that the sharpgradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveform inresponse to the percentage change in resistance being greater than thepercentage change threshold value.
 12. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 8, wherein the controller isconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine that the capsuleis not valid in response to determining that the sharp gradient ispresent in the resistance characteristic waveform.
 13. Thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the one ormore heating characteristic waveforms include a resistancecharacteristic waveform, and the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to determine whether a sharp gradient ispresent in the resistance characteristic waveform, and determine whetherthe capsule is valid based on whether the sharp gradient is present inthe resistance characteristic waveform.
 14. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 13, wherein the controller isconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine whether the sharpgradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveform based on achange in resistance of the heater during a gradient threshold timeperiod.
 15. The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 14,wherein the controller is configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine whether the sharp gradient is present in the resistancecharacteristic waveform by computing a percentage change in resistanceof the heater during the gradient threshold time period, and determiningwhether the sharp gradient is present in the resistance characteristicwaveform based on a comparison between the percentage change inresistance and a percentage change threshold value.
 16. Thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructionsto cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine thatthe sharp gradient is present in the resistance characteristic waveformin response to the percentage change in resistance being greater thanthe percentage change threshold value.
 17. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 13, wherein the controller isconfigured to execute the computer-readable instructions to cause thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine that the capsuleis not valid in response to determining that the sharp gradient ispresent in the resistance characteristic waveform.
 18. Thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein a validcapsule is at least one of an authentic capsule, a capsule that has notbeen damaged prior to insertion into the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device, or a capsule including aerosol-formingsubstrate that is not depleted.
 19. The non-combustibleaerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the one or more heatingcharacteristic waveforms include at least a resistance characteristicwaveform for the heater; and the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to determine whether the capsule is validbased on (i) whether the one or more of the heating characteristicwaveforms are within the bounds of corresponding one or more expectedheating characteristic envelopes, and (ii) whether a sharp gradient ispresent in the resistance characteristic waveform.
 20. Thenon-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 19, wherein thecontroller is configured to execute the computer-readable instructionsto cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device to determine thatthe capsule is not valid in response to (i) at least one of the one ormore heating characteristic waveforms being outside the bounds of thecorresponding one or more expected heating characteristic envelopes or(ii) the sharp gradient being present in the resistance characteristicwaveform.
 21. The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1,wherein the one or more heating characteristic waveforms include anapplied power waveform, the applied power waveform indicative of alength of time a maximum available power is applied to the heater; andthe controller is configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device todetermine that a fault has occurred within the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device based on whether the length of time fallswithin a threshold range.
 22. The non-combustible aerosol-generatingdevice of claim 1, wherein the one or more heating characteristicwaveforms include an applied power waveform, the applied power waveformindicative of a length of time a maximum available power is applied tothe heater; and the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to determine that the power applied to theheater has fallen below a maximum available power based on the appliedpower waveform, determine whether the length of time falls within athreshold range in response to determining that the power applied to theheater has fallen below the maximum available power, determine that thepreheat interval has ended in response to determining that the length oftime falls within the threshold range, and determine whether the capsuleis valid in response to determining that the preheat interval has ended.23. The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1, whereinthe one or more heating characteristic waveforms include a resistancecharacteristic waveform, an applied power waveform, and a temperaturecharacteristic waveform; and the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to determine that the power applied to theheater has fallen below a maximum available power based on the appliedpower waveform, determine that the preheat interval has ended inresponse to determining that the power applied to the heater has fallenbelow the maximum available power, and determine whether the capsule isvalid in response to determining that the preheat interval has ended.24. The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim 1, whereinthe controller is configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to cause the non-combustible aerosol-generating device torecord an airflow waveform during at least the portion of the preheatinterval, correct the one or more heating characteristic waveforms basedon the recorded airflow waveform, and determine whether the capsule isvalid based on the corrected one or more heating characteristicwaveforms.
 25. The non-combustible aerosol-generating device of claim24, wherein the controller is configured to execute thecomputer-readable instructions to cause the non-combustibleaerosol-generating device to correct the one or more heatingcharacteristic waveforms by at least one of masking or computationalcorrection.
 26. A method of controlling a non-combustibleaerosol-generating device having a capsule inserted therein, the capsuleincluding an aerosol-forming substrate and a heater configured to heatthe aerosol-forming substrate, the method comprising: applying power tothe heater during a preheat interval for preheating the heater;recording, during at least a portion of the preheat interval, one ormore heating characteristic waveforms resulting from application of thepower to the heater during the preheat interval; and determining whetherthe capsule is valid based on one or more of the heating characteristicwaveforms.
 27. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed by a controller at anon-combustible aerosol-generating device, cause the controller toperform a method of controlling the non-combustible aerosol-generatingdevice, wherein the non-combustible aerosol-generating device has acapsule inserted therein, the capsule including an aerosol-formingsubstrate and a heater configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate,and wherein the method comprises: applying power to the heater during apreheat interval for preheating the heater; recording, during at least aportion of the preheat interval, one or more heating characteristicwaveforms resulting from application of the power to the heater duringthe preheat interval; and determining whether the capsule is valid basedon one or more of the heating characteristic waveforms.